TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a lower‑court verdict that cleared Apple and director M. Night Shyamalan of copyright infringement claims over the Apple TV+ thriller Servant. The series, starring Lauren Ambrose and Rupert Grint, was alleged by filmmaker Francesca Gregorini to have copied the plot of her 2013 independent film The Truth About Emanuel, a suit that sought up to $81 million. A 2022 jury found the creators had no access to Gregorini’s work and ruled for Apple. Gregorini appealed, arguing the jury needed clearer instructions on “widespread dissemination” and that the judge should have answered jurors’ questions. The appellate court rejected both arguments, confirming the jury instructions were proper and the judge’s discretion was sound.