Woody Allen finally settles American Apparel suit for $5 million

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Woody Allen came out of the courthouse $5 million richer. American Apparel began illegally using his image on billboards last year, and Woody was not happy about it, so he decided to sue. In the process of the negotiations, American Apparel tried to smear Woody’s name by bringing up his divorce from Mia Farrow, and his marriage to Soon-Yi Previn.

It seems American Apparel’s numskull attorney didn’t help much, because Woody Allen came out victorious. The $5 million will be paid by American Apparel’s insurance company.

Both sides announced the settlement – to be paid by American Apparel Inc.’s insurance company – on the morning a trial was to start in federal court in Manhattan.

Reading from a statement outside court, Allen said he hoped the outcome “would discourage American Apparel or anyone else from ever trying such a thing again.” His lawyers said the $5 million appeared to be the largest amount ever paid to settle a lawsuit brought under state privacy statutes.

American Apparel president Dov Charney told reporters it wasn’t his decision to settle. The Los Angeles-based company’s insurance company “controlled the defense” in the case, he said.

“I’m not sorry for expressing myself,” he said.

Allen, 73, sued the trendy clothing company last year for $10 million after the advertisements turned up on billboards in Hollywood and New York and on a Web site. Using a frame from the film “Annie Hall,” the ads depicted Allen as a Hasidic Jew – long beard, side curls, black hat – and featured Yiddish text meaning “the holy rebbe.”

Court papers filed on Allen’s behalf had described the actor-director as one of the most influential figures in the history of American film and said he believes maintaining strict control over his image has been critical to his success.

The papers claimed Allen hasn’t done commercials in the United States since 1960s, when he was a struggling standup comic. The billboards, he says, falsely implied he endorsed a clothing line known for its racy advertising – a “blatant misappropriation and commercial use of Allen’s image.”

[from Huffington Post]

Of course he had originally sued for $10 million, but $5 isn’t too shabby, and according to his lawyers, it’s the largest amount ever paid under state privacy issues. American Apparel was not pleased with the suit because they took the billboards down after a week.

This is one of those ridiculous situations where you just have to think, “who decided this was a good idea?” Not only did they use Woody Allen’s image, but they also used an image from Annie Hall – technically they would also have to pay royalties for that, as well (if they had done it legally, of course).

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16 Responses to “Woody Allen finally settles American Apparel suit for $5 million”

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  1. CandyKay says:

    Wow, that’s my old neighborhood in the background there – the Jewish Lower East Side.

    Wonder why anyone thought this billboard would make people buy T-shirts.

  2. RaraAvis says:

    WTF does Woody Allen dressed as a Hasidic Jew have to do with anything?? Anything at all? This takes “random” to a whole new level.

  3. (The Original) Blondie says:

    I have a hard time respecting Woody Allen since he married Mia’s adopted daughter. Just like Celine Dion marrying that old guy, Renee, after saying he was a father figure to her her whole life. How can you watch someone grow up from a CHILD and then fall in love with them? It’s gross! Just makes me think they were lusting after these young girls the whole time and just waiting for them to become “legal”.

  4. NGO says:

    @RaraAvis

    This should clear things up:
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/may/18/american-apparel-woody-allen

    “The billboards were designed to inspire dialogue. They were certainly never intended to sell clothes. (And they didn’t. We recently hired a market-research company to determine the commercial impact, if any, of the billboards; they found they had no impact on anyone’s decision to shop at our stores.) This was not the first time we used a billboard for something other than to promote our products. Before and since we’ve used them to express social messages — including, for example, our support of immigration reform.”

  5. Karen says:

    American Apparel’s president is an arrogant prick! That is why he was unrepentant for using Allen’s image and made it clear to all that he didn’t want to settle. Google him and you’ll find all sorts of stuff written about various stunts he has pulled in the past.

    On behalf of Canada, I apologize for him because he’s originally from Montreal. Other than finding a fabulous bandeau-style dress with the help of one very friendly employee, I can’t stand the attitude from the others who work in their stores.

  6. Lorie says:

    Woody Allen is one nasty man. To be his muse, all you have to be is equiped with a big rack. His latest movies are so horrible and condescending to women. I honestly can’t stand him and am pretty glad these adds are going to be taken off. I won’t have to see his oogling face every day on the road anymore! Wouhouuu! Hate this old perverted f***!

  7. Corbinian says:

    Have a good time BUT why in the world would you shut down the help pages just because support is gone think about it if youre not here to help maybe we can find the answer there if not we can use the foroum or wait for you to get back.

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  10. Adolph Moore says:

    Interesting article. Where did you have all the information from? I didnt check if it isnt duplicate but I think that someone will going to steal such a good information.

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