As expected if you were following along during The Trial, Judge Florence Pan issued a brief order late Monday blocking Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster. “Upon review of the extensive record and careful consideration of the parties’ arguments, the Court finds that the United States has shown that ‘the effect of [the proposed merger] may be substantially to lessen competition’ in the market for the U.S. publishing rights to anticipated top-selling books. Accordingly, judgment shall be entered in favor of the Plaintiff and the merger shall be enjoined.” For more details from the judge’s extensive opinion, everyone […]