'Abbott Elementary' Copyright Lawsuit Dismissed

A federal judge ruled that 'Abbott Elementary' and the proposed show 'This School Year' are not substantially similar, dismissing the copyright infringement lawsuit.

• The lawsuit against 'Abbott Elementary' and its creator, Quinta Brunson, was dropped by a judge in New York, ending the legal battle over copyright infringement claims.
• 'Abbott Elementary,' a mockumentary about an underfunded public school in Philadelphia, was accused of being a 'knock-off' of 'This School Year,' a proposed show set in a New York City public school.
• The judge found significant differences in plot, themes, and characters between the two shows, emphasizing their distinct perspectives on the experiences of teachers in under-resourced, inner-city public school settings.
• The lawsuit, filed by writer Christine Davis, claimed that 'Abbott Elementary' copied several elements of her planned show without permission.
• 'Abbott Elementary' continues to air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu, having been renewed for a fourth season.

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