Apple TV has secured another courtroom victory after a federal appeals court upheld its win in a long-running plagiarism dispute.
The case involved the psychological thriller Servant, associated with filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, and the independent film The Truth About Emanuel.
On October 22, 2026, reports confirmed that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected filmmaker Francesca Gregorini’s challenge.
Consequently, the earlier jury verdict favouring Apple remains intact.
The decision marks another important development in a legal dispute that began more than six years ago.
How the Plagiarism Dispute Began
Gregorini filed her lawsuit in January 2020, alleging that the creators of Servant copied elements of her film.
Both productions explore a grieving mother’s emotional struggles following the death of her child.
Additionally, each story features a mother who develops an attachment to a doll.
However, similarities in these basic story elements did not convince the jury that unlawful copying occurred.
The court initially dismissed Gregorini’s case. Later, the dispute returned for a jury trial, giving both sides another opportunity to present their arguments.
Ultimately, the jury ruled in Apple’s favour after examining the competing productions.
Appeals Court Supports Earlier Verdict
During the trial, jurors watched The Truth About Emanuel alongside the first three episodes of Servant.
They then considered whether the similarities supported Gregorini’s allegations.
However, the jury concluded that the productions did not establish the claimed plagiarism.
Shyamalan also rejected the allegations during the proceedings, describing the dispute as a misunderstanding.
Following the verdict, Gregorini challenged the outcome through the appeals process.
Nevertheless, the Ninth Circuit upheld the earlier decision, preserving Apple’s legal victory.
What the Ruling Means for Servant
The ruling removes the latest legal challenge against the series, although the source report does not discuss further possible proceedings.
Meanwhile, Servant remains available for audiences interested in psychological thrillers.
The series concluded its run in March 2023, bringing its unsettling family mystery to an end.
However, viewers can still stream the complete show through Apple TV.
The dispute also highlights the difficulties of evaluating creative similarities between films and television productions.
Stories may share themes, characters, or emotional situations without necessarily violating copyright protections.
Ultimately, the appeals court’s decision reinforces the earlier jury verdict and represents a significant victory for Apple and the creators of Servant.
