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[BUSINESS] · United States · 31 sources

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Part of situation: Warner Bros. medical drama copyright lawsuit (2 clusters)

Warner Bros. faces lawsuit as court rules 'The Pitt' and 'ER' are similar enough for trial

Warner Bros. Television The Pitt ER Michael Crichton copyright lawsuit

A California appeals court has ruled that the medical drama “The Pitt” shares enough similarities with the series “ER” to allow a lawsuit brought by Michael Crichton’s widow to proceed. A three-judge panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeal unanimously denied an appeal from Warner Bros. Television, which had sought to dismiss the case under anti-SLAPP statutes.

The lawsuit, filed by Sherri Crichton in August 2024, alleges that “The Pitt” is an unauthorized reboot of “ER.” The plaintiff argues that the production violates a “frozen rights” provision in Crichton’s original 1994 contract, which prohibited the studio from creating spinoffs or reboots without his express approval.

The court identified several similarities between the two shows, including the emergency room setting, fast-paced dialogue, medical jargon, graphic depictions of injuries, and the focus on young, inexperienced doctors. While the ruling allows the case to move toward a jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court, the judges dismissed claims against individual producers Noah Wyle, John Wells, and R. Scott Gemmill, citing a lack of evidence that they were aware of the potential contractual violations.

“The Pitt,” an HBO Max series, has received significant critical acclaim, including multiple Emmy awards. The legal dispute centers on whether the show is a derivative work that intentionally bypassed negotiations with the Crichton estate.

Entities

Los Angeles Superior Court · Michael Crichton · Noah Wyle · Sherri Crichton · The Pitt · Warner Bros. Television

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 3 SOURCES] Michael Crichton’s contract included a provision prohibiting spin-offs or reboots without his consent. www.bbc.co.uk · variety.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Warner Bros. Television argued that The Pitt is a completely different show. www.bbc.co.uk · variety.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Sherri Crichton filed the lawsuit in 2024. variety.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The court cited the emergency room setting and medical jargon as similarities between the shows. www.bbc.co.uk · variety.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The court dismissed claims against Noah Wyle, John Wells, and R. Scott Gemmill. www.bbc.co.uk · variety.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The case will proceed to a jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court. www.bbc.co.uk
  • [● 3 SOURCES] A US appeals court ruled that The Pitt and ER have clear and numerous similarities. www.bbc.co.uk · variety.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Negotiations for an ER reboot collapsed over credit and financial guarantees. www.bbc.co.uk

Sources

'ER' and 'The Pitt' are similar enough for lawsuit to move forward, appeals court finds [www.independent.co.uk]
‘The Pitt’ and ‘ER’ Are Similar Enough to Allow Crichton Suit, Appeals Court Rules [variety.com]
'ER' and 'The Pitt' are similar enough for lawsuit to move forward, appeals court finds [www.newsday.com]
¿The Pitt es una copia de Urgencias? La demanda por plagio que enfrenta la serie [www.sdpnoticias.com]
Appeals Court Rules Michael Crichton's Widow Can Sue 'The Pitt'. Here's Why. [townhall.com]
‘The Pitt’ and ‘ER’ Are Similar Enough for Michael Crichton Lawsuit to Move Forward, Judge Rules [www.usmagazine.com]
¿"The Pitt" es una versión de "ER"? La disputa legal que tiene contra las cuerdas a Warner Bros. [www.concierto.cl]
The Pitt and ER Are Similar Enough for Lawsuit to Move Forward, Judge Rules [cordcuttersnews.com]
The Pitt and ER are similar enough for Michael Crichton’s widow’s lawsuit to proceed, court rules [www.mediaweek.com.au]
The Pitt and ER are similar enough for lawsuit to proceed, judge rules [www.bbc.co.uk]
‘The Pitt’ Faces Major Legal Setback Over Its Similarities to ‘ER’ [www.realitytea.com]
Judge Rules Lawsuit to Proceed Due to 'The Pitt' and 'ER' Similarities - [television.mxdwn.com]
'The Pitt' lawsuit over 'ER' reboot can proceed, court rules [thebusinessjournal.com]
The Pitt resembles ER closely enough for trial to proceed [thenightly.com.au]
The future of The Pitt is sketchier than ever as judge rules ER lawsuit can proceed [thetab.com]
The Pitt : Un procès menace la série médicale de Noah Wyle, mais la saison 3 est-elle vraiment en danger ? [actuanews.fr]
Un tribunal permite demanda contra Warner Bros por 'The Pitt' y su parecido con 'ER' [columnadigital.com]
'The Pitt' enfrenta julgamento nos EUA por acusação de plágio de 'ER' - Correio de Carajás [correiodecarajas.com.br]
'ER' and 'The Pitt' are similar enough for lawsuit to move forward, appeals court finds [kitchener.citynews.ca]
‘ER’ and ‘The Pitt’ are similar enough for lawsuit to move forward, appeals court finds [mymotherlode.com]
Un tribunal permite juicio por similitudes entre The Pitt y ER - Notiulti [www.notiulti.com]
Une cour autorise le procès de The Pitt pour des similitudes avec ER [www.nouvelles-du-monde.com]
Continúa la batalla, 'The Pitt' y 'Urgencias' se parecen demasiado: un tribunal admite la demanda por plagio [bestmovie.es]
Duro revés judicial para ‘The Pitt’ por parecerse demasiado a ‘ER’ [estamosaqui.mx]
The Pitt y ER llegan a los tribunales: la disputa por el parecido entre ambas series | Maya Comunicación [mayacomunicacion.com.mx]
Is The Pitt a ploy to remake ER without paying for it? [www.velvetclassic.net]
Los creadores de 'The Pitt' y de 'ER' irán a juicio por el parecido entre ambas series [bajotecho.com.do]
‘ER’ creator’s estate can sue over ‘The Pitt’ similarities, appeals court rules [www.nbcnews.com]
Zelena luč sodišča: je serija The Pitt v resnici le kopija legendarne Urgence? [n1info.si]
Los creadores de “The Pitt” y “ER” irán a juicio por el parecido entre ambas series – Radio M – Humahuaca [radiomhumahuaca.com.ar]
Los creadores de “The Pitt” y “ER” irán a juicio por el parecido entre ambas series - LA NACION [www.lanacion.com.ar]