Warner Bros. Discovery sues Amazon over alleged employee poaching

Warner Bros. Discovery has sued Amazon in California, alleging the company recruited away employees in violation of their contracts. The complaint centers on former HBO and Warner staff, including Pia Barlow, who previously served as senior vice president for originals marketing.

According to the filing, Warner Bros. says Amazon targeted its workers despite existing term employment agreements. The company argues that the hires were part of a broader effort to pull talent from established Hollywood businesses.

The lawsuit also seeks to frame Amazon’s conduct as a contract dispute rather than ordinary hiring, saying the employees were induced to leave before their obligations expired. The case is likely to draw attention because California law has long been a battleground over the enforceability of fixed-term employment deals.

Amazon has not yet publicly responded in the material provided. The case adds to ongoing disputes in the entertainment industry over how far companies can go when recruiting executives and creative staff.