Warner Bros. Discovery sued Amazon this week, alleging interference with contractual relations, breach of contract and unfair competition.
Deadline reported on thisthe claim Amazon claims it is “looking to poach a number of contract workers in a hurry,” including HBO Max marketing director Pia Barlow, who recently joined Amazon MGM Studios. Warner Bros. (Pending acquisition by Paramount took a break for at least a few months) said Barlow’s contract “will not expire until October 31, 2027.”
“In flagrant disregard of established California law, Amazon committed fraud by attempting to induce Plaintiffs’ employees under fixed-term employment contracts to violate those contracts with impunity, backed by the ready assurance that Amazon would defend and indemnify them if held accountable for their manifest wrongdoing,” Warner Bros.
The company also accused Amazon of “inducing another WBD employee to break his term of employment through December 2027,” though that executive (believed to be HBO programming director Francesca Orsi) ended up staying at Warner Bros.
Deadline noted that this lawsuit will renew the debate over whether fixed-term employment contracts are enforceable under California law.
Amazon MGM Studios declined to comment.
