A federal jury has unanimously cleared director M. Night Shyamalan in an $81 million copyright infringement lawsuit over the Apple TV+ series "Servant," ending a five-year legal battle.
Italian director Francesca Gregorini filed the lawsuit in 2020, claiming that "Servant" copied elements from her 2013 film "The Truth About Emanuel." Both works feature storylines about women caring for dolls that serve as emotional substitutes for deceased children.
Taking the stand in his own defense, Shyamalan strongly denied the allegations, stating that neither he nor his creative team had any knowledge of Gregorini's film before the lawsuit. "This accusation is the exact opposite of everything I do and everything I try to represent," the director testified.
The case had a complex legal journey before reaching trial. While a federal judge initially dismissed the lawsuit, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals revived it in 2022, citing "substantial similarities" between the two works. After Apple's request for summary judgment was denied in November, the case proceeded to trial.
The jury carefully reviewed both productions - three episodes of Shyamalan's supernatural series "Servant" and the complete coming-of-age drama "The Truth About Emanuel" - before reaching their verdict in favor of Shyamalan and Apple TV+.
The decision marks a decisive victory for Shyamalan and Apple TV+, clearing them of all liability in the copyright infringement claims.