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2 clusters · 5 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Apple and M. Night Shyamalan copyright litigation

Overview

The copyright infringement dispute regarding the Apple TV+ series ‘Servant’ has concluded in favor of Apple and executive producer M. Night Shyamalan. The litigation originated from claims by filmmaker Francesca Gregorini that the series copied elements of her 2013 film, ‘The Truth About Emanuel’, specifically regarding a plot involving a grieving mother and a realistic doll.

Following a unanimous jury verdict in January 2025, Gregorini appealed the decision, arguing that the trial court provided inadequate instructions concerning ‘widespread dissemination’ and whether the creators had potential access to her work.

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected these arguments, upholding the original verdict. The appellate court determined that the jury instructions were adequate and that the jury’s finding—that Gregorini failed to establish the creators had access to her film—was decisive, making the question of substantial similarity unnecessary to resolve.

Entities

Francesca Gregorini · Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals · Apple · M. Night Shyamalan · Servant

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    Apple and M. Night Shyamalan win copyright appeal over 'Servant

    The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling in favor of Apple and M. Night Shyamalan, rejecting copyright infringement claims regarding the Apple TV series ‘Servant’.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Ninth Circuit upholds Apple and M. Night Shyamalan copyright victory

    The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a verdict clearing Apple and M. Night Shyamalan of copyright infringement in a lawsuit involving the series ‘Servant’.

Sources

9to5mac.com · guides.macrumors.com · ithome.com · lawyer-monthly.com · superapple.cz