Director M. Night Shyamalan has won a major victory in a copyright trial related to his Apple TV+ series Servant.
A federal judge in Riverside, California, ruled in Shyamalan’s favor after a seven-day trial, dismissing accusations that he plagiarized elements from the 2013 independent film The Truth About Emanuel.
The lawsuit, filed by Italian-born director Francesca Gregorini, sought up to $81 million in damages. Gregorini claimed that Shyamalan’s series borrowed key narrative elements from her film, which tells the story of a woman who treats a baby doll as if it were her child, with a nanny who supports the delusion.
Shyamalan testified that neither he nor his collaborators had ever seen Gregorini’s film before the lawsuit, calling the situation a “100%, clear misunderstanding.” The director, known for his work on The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, emphasized that the accusation was contrary to his values and creative process.
Gregorini had argued that scenes in Servant where a nanny treats a doll as a real child and faints were copied from her film. However, Shyamalan’s defense team countered that the fainting scene was too common to be considered original.
Shyamalan also pointed out the significant differences between the two works, noting that Servant is a supernatural thriller, while The Truth About Emanuel is a coming-of-age drama.
In closing arguments, Shyamalan’s lawyer, Brittany Amadi, argued that Gregorini’s claims were an attempt to secure a financial windfall, stating, “She’s seeking $81 million for work she didn’t do.”
This legal victory comes as Shyamalan continues to expand his career, with his films having grossed over $3.3 billion globally.
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