Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, accusing it of unlawfully poaching contracted employees, using the hiring of former HBO Max executive Pia Barlow as a key example. The suit, filed on Tuesday, alleges intentional interference with contractual relations, breach of contract, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and unfair competition, and matters because it signals an escalating dispute over talent poaching between the rival media and streaming giants.

Barlow, HBO Max's former EVP of originals marketing, was announced as Amazon MGM Studios' new head of original series marketing on Friday, despite her Warner Bros. contract not being due to expire until 31 October 2027, more than 16 months later. Warner Bros. claims Amazon knowingly induced her to breach that agreement and alleges this was not an isolated case, citing an earlier unsuccessful attempt to lure away another employee whose contract ran until December 2027. The studio is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as injunctive relief.