Exhibition giant AMC Entertainment said Monday that the Department of Justice has asked it for documents in an antitrust review.
Authorities have looked into whether three big theater chains, Regal Entertainment, AMC and Cinemark, have used their market power to keep independent rivals from getting blockbuster releases.
“AMC Entertainment Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., received a Civil Investigative Demand from the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice in connection with an investigation under sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act,” according to a regulatory filing. “On May 29, 2015, the company also received a CID from the Antitrust Section of the Office of Attorney General of the State of Ohio regarding a similar inquiry under Ohio’s antitrust laws.”
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The requests were for “the production of documents and answers to interrogatories concerning potentially anticompetitive conduct, including film clearances and participation in certain joint ventures.” AMC said: “We do not believe the company has violated federal or state antitrust laws and are cooperating with the relevant governmental authorities. However, we cannot predict the ultimate scope, duration or outcome of these investigations.”
