Woody Allen vs. American Apparel

American Apparel billboards featuring soft-porn-like images of young women and men have certainly caught attention and flack over the years. Now, they have attracted a $10-million lawsuit from Woody Allen.

The famed actor-director sued over the image of him dressed as a Hasidic Jew that appeared about a year ago on American Apparel billboards and Internet ads. The image comes from the movie "Annie Hall," which won Allen an Oscar for best director. Allen said he was not asked for permission -- nor did he give it -- to use the photo  in the ads.

The Allen lawsuit is the most recent legal problem facing American Apparel and its founder, Dov Charney, over unorthodox business practices and behavior.  Charney, who admits to appearing before employees only in underwear and having consensual sexual relations with workers, is currently awaiting the outcome of a sexual harassment suit.

Charney takes many of the suggestive photos of the young men and women who appear in the company ads, sometimes wearing only tube socks or tight-fitting underwear. We are pretty sure Woody would not have agreed to pose for such pictures. But if he had, then we would have filed suit.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: American Apparel billboard in Echo Park courtesy Curbed LA 

Comments

[Dan Wilcox]

Oh big funny man can't take a joke! Actually the Hasidic wear makes him better looking. If that's possible.