An appeals court rules that “The Pitt” is sufficiently similar to “ER” to let Michael Crichton’s widow pursue a lawsuit alleging the HBO Max series is derivative. A unanimous three-judge panel denies an appeal brought by Warner Bros. Television, which argued the shows are unrelated.
The decision keeps the dispute moving toward further legal proceedings. Variety frames the ruling as a procedural step that permits the case to proceed, while Deadline emphasizes the practical impact on the production schedule, noting “The Pitt” is already deep into production for a third season but will face court next year as the parties continue arguing over the relationship between the two dramas. Both outlets describe the same core issue: whether the later series is legally close enough to “ER” to warrant the estate’s claim.
