Skip to Content

American Apparel tangles with Woody Allen

More
Text SizeAAA

Filed under: Sex Sells, Extracurriculars

Woody Allen sued trendy clothier American Apparel for $10 million, alleging that it used his image on a billboard without his permission, thus damaging his reputation.

The case is set to go to trial and American Apparel's defense appears to be to make fun of Woody Allen, suggesting that his image was so compromised by his own sexual misadventures that there was really nothing left to damage.

"Woody Allen expects $10 million for use of his image on billboards that were up and down in less than one week. I think Woody Allen overestimates the value of his image," American Apparel lawyer Stuart Slotnick told The Associated Press. "Certainly, our belief is that after the various sex scandals that Woody Allen has been associated with, corporate America's desire to have Woody Allen endorse their product is not what he may believe it is."


So true: It's also worth noting that Allen's decision to sue the company for such an obscene amount of money over such a minor issue could be more harmful to his reputation than the advertisements.

It's a shame that this case has gone all the way to trial because Allen and the company's CEO, Dov Charney could have been great friends. Just think of all the great stories they could have sat around and shared. "I married my stepdaughter!" "You think that's cool? I masturbated in front of a Jane magazine reporter!"

American Apparel is also accusing Woody of failing to provide all the information it requested in discovery.

You have to give American Apparel props for generating so much publicity out of this lawsuit. More conventional companies would say "We don't comment on pending litigation" but Dov Charney has made the company's lawyer available to the media to discuss a trial that's set to begin next month.

Subscribe to Walletpop
Vote Now For the Readers' Choice Best in Food Awards
Nominations have been received and vetted for the best-of-breed in gourmet grocers, online gourmet ...
Zingerman's Bakehouse: Artisan Bread and Pastry from Ann Arbor
Zingerman's Bakehouse of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is nominated for a Luxist Award in the best bread ...

Jason Cochran
Jason Cochran Filed under: Bargains, Extracurriculars, Transportation, Travel, Celebs & Money

On board the new Oasis of the Seas: Is it worth the money?

So here I am, writing this from off the coast of Florida as part of the first two-day preview cruise of the magnificent Oasis of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has launched the largest cruise ship in the ...
Geoff Williams
Geoff Williams Filed under: Credit cards

Citigroup holds its customers hostage

Across the nation, Citibank credit card holders are receiving what pretty much amounts to a ransom note: We're going to raise your rates, says the letter, in so many words, but if you spend more ...
Bonnie McCarthy
Bonnie McCarthy Filed under: Budgets, Kids and Money, Saving Money, Technology

Family budgets: Make movie night safe again with family-friendly review sites

Around my house, we don't make the decision to pile into the car and head over to our local Cineplex as easily as we once did. It costs a lot of money these days to see talking animals, wild things ...
Madhusmita Bora
Madhusmita Bora Filed under: Transportation

Shop the friendly skies? The airlines are hoping you'll buy while in the sky

Along with sandwiches and soda, you may one day be able to buy tickets to Lion King and Animal Kingdom while cruising 35,000 feet above ground. A New York Times story reported that the airline ...

Headlines from WalletPop Partners