Appeals court upholds Apple’s win in ‘Servant’ copyright lawsuit
The Ninth Circuit upheld a jury verdict for Apple and M. Night Shyamalan in a copyright case over the series “Servant.” The court ruled on October 22, rejecting filmmaker Francesca Gregorini’s challenges to the jury instructions and its handling of a request for clarification.
The Ninth Circuit upheld a jury verdict for Apple, M. Night Shyamalan and the other defendants in a copyright lawsuit over the series “Servant.” The court issued its decision on October 22.
Filmmaker Francesca Gregorini alleged that the first three episodes copied her 2013 film “The Truth About Emanuel.” Both stories feature a grieving mother who treats a doll as a living baby and a young caregiver.
Court rejects appeal arguments
Gregorini argued that problems with the jury instructions and an unanswered juror question justified overturning the verdict. The appeals court found the instructions adequate and said the judge could accept the unanimous verdict before answering the jury’s request for clarification.
Gregorini filed the lawsuit in January 2020. It was initially dismissed that year, then revived on appeal in 2022 before going to trial. On January 24, 2025, the jury unanimously ruled for Apple, Shyamalan and the other defendants.
“Servant” stars Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free and Rupert Grint. Shyamalan served as an executive producer.
What we know
- The Ninth Circuit left in place the verdict for Apple and M. Night Shyamalan.
- Francesca Gregorini alleged that the first three episodes of “Servant” copied elements of her 2013 film.
- The jury unanimously ruled for the defendants on January 24, 2025.
- The appeals court found the jury instructions adequate and upheld the judge’s decision to accept the verdict before answering a clarification request.
Trust: Single source
- The story relies on one publisher. A second independent confirmation has not been established from the cited sources.
- Sources: MacRumors.
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