'The lawsuit filed by the US Department of Justice to stop the proposed merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster went to trial on August I. 2022. with Judge Florence Pan presiding. The trial included expert testimony from a wide variety of authors, agents, and publishing professionals. Closing arguments took place on August 19. A ruling is expected in November. The fundamental question is whether the merger will diminish competition to a significant degree and lead to lower advances and royalties for authors. Some highlights from the trial follow.' (Introduction)