Warner Bros. sues Amazon over alleged executive poaching

Warner Bros. Discovery filed a lawsuit accusing Amazon of unlawfully recruiting its contracted executives, alleging the tech giant interfered with employment agreements and encouraged employees to breach their contracts.

The lawsuit, filed this week and first reported by Deadline, accuses Amazon of interference with contractual relations, breach of contract and unfair competition.

Warner Bros. alleges Amazon targeted contracted executives

According to the complaint, Amazon sought to hire several Warner Bros. Discovery employees whose fixed-term contracts had not yet expired. Among them was HBO Max marketing executive Pia Barlow, who recently joined Amazon MGM Studios despite a contract that Warner Bros. says runs through October 31, 2027.

The lawsuit also alleges Amazon attempted to recruit another Warner Bros. executive, believed to be HBO programming executive Francesca Orsi, whose contract reportedly extends until December 2027. Warner Bros. claims that executive ultimately remained with the company.

Lawsuit could reignite debate over California employment law

In its filing, Warner Bros. accused Amazon of encouraging employees to violate their contracts while assuring them it would defend and indemnify them against any legal consequences.

The case is expected to revive questions about whether fixed-term employment agreements are enforceable under California law.

Amazon MGM Studios declined to comment on the lawsuit.