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Appeals Court Reviews HBO Max’s “The Pitt” Crichton Claim

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Court of Appeals is hearing HBO Max’s “The Pitt” appeal to overturn a 2025 ruling for Sherri Crichton.
Gibson Dunn filed a brief in the Appellate District, Division 3, asserting Crichton’s claim the series copies ER and breaches a 1994 “Freeze Provision” granting her publishing rights.
Judge Wendy Chang denied The Pitt’s anti-SLAPP motion in 2025; attorneys Ilissa Samplin and Ted Boutrous Jr. say misapplied anti-SLAPP and that the 1994 agreement covered ER publishing.

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Story summary

The Court of Appeals is hearing HBO Max’s “The Pitt” appeal to overturn a 2025 ruling for Sherri Crichton.
Gibson Dunn filed a brief in the Appellate District, Division 3, asserting Crichton’s claim the series copies ER and breaches a 1994 “Freeze Provision” granting her publishing rights.
Judge Wendy Chang denied The Pitt’s anti-SLAPP motion in 2025; attorneys Ilissa Samplin and Ted Boutrous Jr. say misapplied anti-SLAPP and that the 1994 agreement covered ER publishing.