Case against Friends writers reconsidered

The California Supreme Court has agreed to consider a case brought against the writers of hit TV show Friends over crude sexual language.

Amaani Lyle, who is suing her former employers Warner Bros and three writers on the now defunct comedy series, claims the screenwriters' language and constant discussion of sex created an oppressive work environment.

The writers named as defendants have acknowledged using coarse and sexually vulgar language - but claim it was part of the creative process of producing a show revolving round sexually-active young people.

Justice Earl Johnson said the writers' claim of "creative necessity" could be a credible defence in the case when Lyle's suit was first brought to court in 2002.

He wrote: "Defendants may be able to convince a jury the artistic process for producing episodes of Friends necessitates conduct which might be unacceptable in other contexts."

However Lyle's case has been reinstated after a state appeals court ruled the defence's position was not strong enough to justify the dismissal.