It looks like American Apparel has launched a billboard campaign that features a still image from the movie Annie Hall. They did this without the blessing of Woody and he has decided to reward their poor life decision with a 10 million dollar lawsuit! We get the scoop today from the caves of Yahoo:
Woody Allen asked a federal court on Monday to strip a clothing company known for its racy ads featuring scantily clad models of at least $10 million for using his image on billboards and on the Internet. In a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, the actor-director said he does not endorse commercial products or services in the United States, which makes the May 2007 American Apparel billboards in Hollywood and New York and Web site displays “especially egregious and damaging.”
The lawsuit said Allen was not contacted by the company and did not consent to the use of his image, which was taken from one of his movies. The lawsuit complained of a billboard featuring a frame from “Annie Hall,” a film that won Allen a best director Oscar. The image showed Allen, 72, dressed as a Hasidic Jew with a long beard and black hat and Yiddish text meaning “the holy rebbe.” The words “American Apparel” also were on the billboard.
Good sweet gracious, 10 million smackeroos is a big fine for an image. Then again, if you are going to use someone’s material, and put it up on a billboard for advertising purposes – you may want to get permission first.
10 million may seem excessive, but if Woody has a strong aversion to using his work for advertising purposes, then that right must be respected. Since he was not consulted; American Apparel is subject to the fullness of Woody’s wrath. It’s possible that the Ad Agency involved thought Mr. Allen may be fine with the ad, or perhaps not even find out about it. The word on the street is that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission – but in this case the strategy may be expensive. We will be on the lookout to see how much Woody wins from the suit and be sure to keep you posted.
