Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Appeals court upholds verdict clearing Apple’s Servant of copying claims
A US appeals court upheld a verdict for Apple and M. Night Shyamalan in a copyright case over the thriller series Servant.
Italian-born director Francesca Gregorini said the show copied her 2013 film, The Truth About Emanuel.
She sought up to $81 million in damages after suing Apple and Shyamalan.
A jury found the creators had not accessed her film before developing the series, and ruled in their favor in January last year.
Gregorini appealed, arguing that jurors needed clearer instructions about whether her film had been widely shared and that the judge should have answered a jury question before accepting the verdict.
The appeals court rejected both arguments, finding the instructions followed the law and the judge had not acted improperly.
The jury’s verdict for Apple and Shyamalan remains in place.
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a jury verdict clearing Apple and M. Night Shyamalan of claims that the series Servant copied the film The Truth About Emanuel.
The court rejected filmmaker Francesca Gregorini’s appeal, finding the jury instructions accurately reflected the law and the trial judge did not abuse her discretion.
Gregorini had alleged that Servant stole the plot of her 2013 film and sought as much as $81 million in damages.
A jury ruled in Apple and Shyamalan’s favor in January 2025, finding the show’s creators had not accessed Gregorini’s film before developing the series.
Servant ran for four seasons and ended in 2023.
- Who
- Apple, M. Night Shyamalan and filmmaker Francesca Gregorini.
- What
- The Ninth Circuit upheld a jury verdict clearing Apple and Shyamalan of claims that Servant copied Gregorini’s film.
- When
- The appeals court ruled on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- Why
- Gregorini appealed the jury verdict, challenging the jury instructions and the judge’s handling of a juror question.
Francesca Gregorini
Apple and M. Night Shyamalan
Alleged copying
Francesca Gregorini
Gregorini said Servant stole the plot of her 2013 film, The Truth About Emanuel.
Apple and M. Night Shyamalan
The jury found the show’s creators had not accessed Gregorini’s film before developing the series.
Appeal
Francesca Gregorini
Gregorini argued that jurors needed more detailed instructions about “widespread dissemination” and challenged the judge’s response to a jury question.
Apple and M. Night Shyamalan
The appeals court found the instructions accurately reflected the law and the judge did not abuse her discretion by accepting the verdict.
Francesca Gregorini’s film The Truth About Emanuel was released.
Gregorini sued Apple and Shyamalan, alleging Servant plagiarized her film.
A jury unanimously ruled in favor of Apple and Shyamalan.
Servant aired its final season.
The Ninth Circuit rejected Gregorini’s appeal and upheld the jury verdict.
- Series
- Servant
- Film
- The Truth About Emanuel
- Damages sought
- As much as $81 million
- Jury verdict
- January 2025, in favor of Apple and Shyamalan
- Appeals court
- US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
2 sources
What people are saying
clearly, 100% a misunderstanding.