Paramount antitrust case and divestiture (1939–1948)

1. Major studios consolidate theater ownership and distribution

   Jan 1, 1939Labels: Major studios, Theater chains

   • DOJ Antitrust
   • Justia Paramount

2. U.S. government brings Paramount antitrust lawsuit

   Jan 1, 1939Labels: U S, Paramount

   • Justia Paramount
   • GovInfo

3. Supreme Court condemns coordinated price restraints in theaters

   Feb 13, 1939Labels: Supreme Court

   • Justia Interstate Circuit

4. First consent decree limits block booking and blind buying

   Nov 20, 1940Labels: Consent decree, Block booking

   • Justia Paramount
   • Justia 1946 opinion

5. Three-year trial period reveals limits of 1940 settlement

   Nov 20, 1943Labels: Justice Department

   • Justia Paramount

6. Full trial begins after settlement efforts fail

   Oct 8, 1945Labels: Full trial

   • Justia Paramount

7. District court finds illegal restraints in distribution and exhibition

   Jun 11, 1946Labels: District court

   • Justia 1946 opinion
   • Justia Paramount

8. District court issues detailed antitrust decree

   Dec 31, 1946Labels: Antitrust decree

   • Justia 1947 decree

9. Supreme Court rules against studio theater ownership and key practices

   May 3, 1948Labels: Supreme Court

   • GovInfo
   • Justia Paramount

10. DOJ and studios negotiate post-remand structural remedies

    Dec 1, 1948Labels: DOJ negotiations

    • DOJ Antitrust
    • Justia Partmar

11. Second consent decree entered for Paramount

    Mar 3, 1949Labels: Second consent, Paramount

    • Justia Partmar
    • TIME

12. Paramount agrees to split film and theater businesses

    Mar 7, 1949Labels: Paramount divestiture

    • TIME
    • DOJ Antitrust