Last year American Apparel Inc. used images of Woody Allen on the internet and on billboards in New York and Hollywood, which were taken down within a week.

The 73-year-old actor, who doesn’t endorse products in the United States, sued the clothing company for $10 million saying he did not authorize use of his image in the advertising.

Now American Apparel is fighting back. With a court date set for May 18 in Manhattan, the company claims they can’t have damaged Allen’s reputation, since he had already done that himself.

The company plans to focus on the actor’s 1992 affair and subsequent marriage to ex-wife Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn at the trial.

“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,” said the company’s attorney Stuart Slotnick.

Allen’s lawsuit said the billboards falsely implied that Allen sponsored, endorsed or was associated with American Apparel.

“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,” Slotnick said.

photo: WENN

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