Warner Bros. Sues Amazon for Allegedly Poaching Key Employees, More Accusations

Warner Bros. Discovery has sued Amazon over the alleged poaching of an executive before contract expiration. The lawsuit follows Amazon’s recruitment of Pia Barlow, the former Senior Vice President of Marketing at HBO Max.

Hollywood giants Warner Bros. and Amazon clash in new lawsuit

On July 21, 2026, Warner Bros. Discovery filed a lawsuit against Amazon in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.

In the lawsuit, the studio stated, “Amazon has chosen to ride on the coattails of other well-established Hollywood mainstays such as Plaintiffs rather than build its entertainment-production workforce from the ground up.”

They added, “There is perhaps no better example of Amazon’s lawless employee shopping spree,” referencing Barlow’s employment, which was revealed on Friday, July 24.

Moreover, the New York City-based Hollywood film and television studio added that the former employee’s contract was set to expire on October 31, 2027. As per the lawsuit, “Though it was aware of Barlow’s ongoing contractual commitment to WarnerMedia Services, of which WBD is a beneficiary, Amazon has brazenly and deliberately induced Barlow to breach the employment agreement by packing up and decamping to Amazon more than 16 months before its expiration.”

According to the lawsuit, Barlow had expressed her intention to remain with the company until her contract expired, but when Amazon offered a better package, she “promptly discarded” these commitments. The lawsuit states, “Amazon recognized that Barlow’s loyalty was for sale.”

In addition to this, the studio also alleged that the company had previously targeted other employees and will continue to do so in the future. The lawsuit also alleges that Amazon’s previous attempt was “unsuccessful to raid WBD’s workforce as to that particular executive.”

The lawsuit also alleges intentional interference with contractual relations, inducing breach of contract, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and unfair competition in violation of California law. (via Variety)

Barlow reportedly notified the company of her intention to resign on May 26 before formally submitting her resignation on June 5.

Amazon MGM Studios has not yet commented on the lawsuit.