By Karim Hammam
A court has ruled that the new medical drama "The Pitt" shares "clear similarities" with the long-running series "ER," dealing a blow to the show's producers in a copyright lawsuit filed by the widow of "ER" creator Michael Crichton.
The legal challenge argued that "The Pitt" copies protected elements of "ER," which aired for 15 seasons from 1994 to 2009. The court's finding of substantial similarity allows the case to proceed toward trial or settlement negotiations.
"The Pitt," which premiered recently, is set in a Pittsburgh trauma center and follows a format similar to "ER's" real-time, ensemble approach to emergency medicine. The ruling does not determine final liability but establishes that a jury could find infringement.
