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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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5

Allen Lawsuit Over Billboards Turns Racy

Defendant American Apparel uses director's love life against him

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(Newser) – American Apparel plans to defend a $10 million lawsuit brought by Woody Allen over the unauthorized use of his photo on billboards by arguing that the company hasn't hurt his image—because he got there first. A lawyer for the clothing company tells the AP that the director's checkered romantic history is "certainly relevant in assessing the value of an endorsement."

American Apparel—whose advertising Allen calls "sleazy" and "infantile"—has requested info on his endorsements after the revelation of his "relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, including the discovery of nude pictures." Then-girlfriend Mia Farrow, Previn's adoptive mother, dumped Allen in 1992 when she discovered the affair. He and Previn married in 1997.

In this Sept. 20, 2008 file photo, U.S. film director Woody Allen appears at a news conference promoting his new film, ''Vicky Cristina Barcelona' in Barcelona, Spain.
In this Sept. 20, 2008 file photo, U.S. film director Woody Allen appears at a news conference promoting his new film, ''Vicky Cristina Barcelona' in Barcelona, Spain.   (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)
Actress Mia Farrow and her children are shown in this undated file photo.
Actress Mia Farrow and her children are shown in this undated file photo.   (Getty Images)
Woody Allen and wife Soon-YI arrive at he Kursaal Palace during the first day of 52nd San Sebastian International Film Festival on September 17, 2004 in San Sebastian, Spain.
Woody Allen and wife Soon-YI arrive at he Kursaal Palace during the first day of 52nd San Sebastian International Film Festival on September 17, 2004 in San Sebastian, Spain.   (Getty Images)
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I think Woody Allen overestimates the value of his image.
- Stuart Slotnick, American Apparel's attorney

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5 comments
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ethical_person
Apr 15, 09 3:35 PM CDT
What's wrong -- American Apparel's product can't sell unless they trash a celebrity? I haven't seen these billboards, but why are they using Allen and his "checkered past" to sell their crap? He has a right to his image. They need to sell clothes, not scandal. Reply
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Collusive
Apr 15, 09 4:11 PM CDT
I will never shop at American Apparel. Reply
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Mad
Apr 15, 09 8:01 PM CDT
Woody Allen is bad for Woody Allen's reputation Reply
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Reader62373822
Apr 16, 09 8:27 AM CDT
Woody Allen crossed the "Moral Line" when he used his parenting position to groom his young daughter for socially unaccepable sexual acts . He should, at the very least, be an outcast from the USA. Fellow director Roman Polanski did much less nearly 40 years ago, but is unable to this day to set foot on American soil. "W. Allen" should be villified and shunned. He is obnoxious, and flaunts his total disregard via his "broken trust" of modern parenthood. This must disgust any moral Citizen of the World!! Reply
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ethical_person
Apr 16, 09 2:17 PM CDT
Yes, I agree that he crossed some line with his quasi-step-daughter. He has emotional issues, no doubt. But -- she wanted him and they have been married now for years. Maybe it was a good match and all of our outrage about it was mistaken. It's possible. The girl in this picture wanted a life with him. Yuck, but it evidently was mutual. He STILL has a right to his own image and AA is trying to profit from it. Pretty simple. Reply
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