Bid to Revive ‘Billions’ Copyright Claim Faces Doubtful 2nd Cir. (1)

An author suing ViacomCBS, Showtime Networks Inc., and Andrew Ross Sorkin faced a Second Circuit panel skeptical of reviving a copyright case over the show “Billions” after a lower court found the works entirely different.

“Billions” character Dr. Wendy Rhoades resembled hedge fund coach Denise Shull’s fictionalized version of herself in her book more than a lower court suggested, her counsel told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit during oral argument. The court also should have let her amend her complaint to add a false endorsement claim, as several people approached her believing the character was based ...