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[kristiy]

Woody Allen Files $10 Million Suit Against American Apparel


April 01, 2008

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Los Angeles-based American Apparel, whose advertising campaigns often garner media and social scrutiny, has now found itself in the middle of another lawsuit. Woody Allen is suing the frequently scandal-embroiled T-shirt and clothing company for $10 million in damages. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, involves the clothing companies use of his likeness on prominent New York and Los Angeles billboards, as well as in Internet advertising.

The award-winning writer and director says he did not consent to the companies use of his likeness from the 1972 film ?Annie Hall.? According to the associated press, Allen appears on the billboard dressed as an Hasidic Jew with Yiddish text that translates to ?the holy rebbe,? meaning master, teacher or mentor.

Though no stranger to controversy, Allen filed the suit against the company which states, ?Allen does not engage in the commercial endorsement of products or services in the United States,? and further American Apparel?s Allen ad campaign is a, ?blatant misappropriation and commercial use of Allen?s image.? In the end, the $10 million price tag may not be that costly for a company that thrives on controversy, and can still report more than $110 million in fourth quarter sales?a 46% increase from the same quarter last year.




:eek:

[bdail]

This won't be the first or probably the last time that American Apparel is sued. They really push the envelope.

Barbara

[Chris Miller]

Business is all about risks. The bigger the risks, the bigger the rewards and of course the bigger the retainer your keep with the lawyers. :)

[bdail]

I still remember the first time we ran across American Apparel. it was when Expo was still in Dallas,probably about 12 years ago.

This was the time when the men still wore suits and a tie and the gals dressed nicely too.

Imagine that all of a sudden models in very skimpy bikinis were going up and down the aisles handing out thong undies.

Suffice to say that the powers that be put an end to the show rather quickly, and I'm sure that some were disappointed.

But, I have to say they sure made an impression, a memorable one at that!

Barbara

[kristiy]

I remember that- our booth wasn't too far from them (I was a supplier then)
and I believe it was about 8 or 9 years ago at most.
It was SUCH a shock! Everyone was definitely talking about it.
I used to travel with a very cool rep from there (no longer with them I don't think) named Rebecca- she was cool. We had fun!

[istorm]

Frankly, I won't do business with American Apparel. There are far more creative ways to promote products than bordering on ads that appear to say "9 out of 10 crack addicts prefer American Apparel." They are getting about as close to child porn as possible without any thought about the fact that we actually have to show our customers their materials. (Gee, I wonder why I never show their materials.)

Shock is easy. Creativity is tough.

[jimknecht]

I find their display at shows offensive & hate to be anywhere near them. Kiddie porn always come to mind when I think of them.

[bdail]

Jared -

Well said - and I agree with you.

We have not and never will do business with them.

Barbara

[Allan]

I have never seen their display at shows. However, I have seen and TOSSED their catalogs.

Someone must be ordering from them and they think that their ad campaigns are working. Ambercrombie and Fitch is another one that pushes the envelope!