Warner Bros. Discovery has sued Amazon, alleging that it encouraged contracted HBO employees to break their employment agreements by offering them new roles. The dispute centres on claims that Amazon knowingly recruited staff before their contracts ended, which could intensify competition and legal tensions between major streaming and entertainment companies.

Warner Bros. says Pia Barlow, HBO Max’s former executive vice-president for originals marketing, left 16 months before her contract was due to expire on 31 October 2027 after accepting a better-paid Amazon offer; she is expected to begin there on 3 August. The lawsuit also alleges Amazon unsuccessfully pursued another employee, reportedly HBO programming executive Francesca Orsi, and seeks injunctions preventing further alleged inducements plus unspecified damages.