Michael Crichton, the creator of ER and author of Jurassic Park, died in 2008. So why is his estate suing Warner Bros. now?
It turns out that when Crichton agreed to develop the ER series, he kept the right to approve -- or not approve -- of any sequels. That right didn't die with him.
Now that Warner is developing a new medical drama series, The Pitt, Crichton's estate is claiming that the new show is simply a reboot of ER. Although the new show has some similarities, including some of the same actors, Warner denies the allegations.
The dispute is the most recent in a series of high-profile legal cases brought to protect the legacy of a now-dead creative artist. And yes, even after death artists can retain some control over their work.