Overview

• A Los Angeles judge has allowed the lawsuit from Michael Crichton's estate to continue, rejecting Warner Bros.' motion to dismiss under California's anti-SLAPP statute.
• The estate claims Warner Bros. breached Crichton's contract by creating 'The Pitt,' which allegedly draws from 'ER' without proper attribution or compensation.
• Warner Bros., along with producer John Wells and actor Noah Wyle, argues 'The Pitt' is an entirely original show and not derived from 'ER.'
• Evidence cited by the estate includes a 'frozen rights' clause in Crichton's contract and failed negotiations for an official 'ER' reboot before 'The Pitt' was developed.
• The next court hearing is scheduled for March 26, while 'The Pitt,' which premiered in January, has already been renewed for a second season.