Warner Bros. Discovery sues Amazon over employee poaching

Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the tech giant of unlawfully poaching contracted employees, including a senior marketing executive who left more than a year before her contract was set to expire. The complaint, filed on July 21, 2026, in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, alleges intentional interference with contractual relations, inducing breach of contract, and unfair competition.

The legal action centers on Amazon MGM Studios' hiring of Pia Barlow, the former Executive Vice President of Originals Marketing for HBO Max. According to the lawsuit, Barlow's employment contract with Warner Bros. Discovery was not scheduled to end until October 31, 2027. The company alleges that despite being formally notified of the existing agreement, Amazon induced Barlow to breach it by offering her a superior compensation package. Barlow reportedly notified Warner Bros. Discovery of her intention to resign in late May and formally resigned on June 5. She is expected to begin her new role as Vice President and Head of Series Marketing at Amazon on August 3.

In its filing, Warner Bros. Discovery accused Amazon of operating with impunity,...