lawsuits

Woody Allen’s Lawsuit Against American Apparel Becomes a Hissy Battle of Pot and Kettle

American Apparel and Woody Allen are still in a legal battle over the billboards American Apparel erected in New York and L.A. two years ago featuring images of Allen dressed as a bearded rabbi from 1977 film Annie Hall. American Apparel didn’t ask Allen if they could use the image, so Allen sued American Apparel back in April of 2008, demanding at least $10 million for his endorsement, making for one of the Jewiest lawsuits of all time. But American Apparel owner Dov Charney’s lawyers say Allen’s endorsement isn’t worth nearly that much because, well, he’s a perv. “We believe that Mr. Allen’s popularity has decreased significantly, especially in light of the scandals he’s been associated with,” one of Charney’s lawyers said.

The Post reports:

“The term ‘sex scandal’ shall mean … your relationship with [ex-girlfriend Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter] Soon-Yi Previn including the discovery and public reports thereof, the nude pictures you took of Soon-Yi Previn, and your marriage to Soon-Yi Previn,” Charney’s lawyers wrote.


Allen’s lawyers argue that their client is one of five or ten “iconic” figures in American cinema, along with Clint Eastwood and Frank Sinatra, and that he would charge $10 million to appear in an ad if he did things like appear in ads. And then American Apparel was all, “But no one would ever ask Allen to appear in an ad. Because he’s a perv.” (Not in those words, but you know.) Now, Dov Charney has faced numerous sexual-harassment lawsuits, reportedly masturbated in front of a reporter, blah blah old news. So, uh, thanks for making Passover interesting this year, guys!

CHOPPING WOODY [NYP]

Woody Allen’s Lawsuit Against American Apparel Becomes a Hissy Battle of Pot and Kettle