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American Apparel Woody Allen Ad Costs $5 Million in Settlement
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by Blaine Metzgar | May 18, 2009 at 11:22 am
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American Apparel's Woody Allen ad costs the hipster fashion-favorite $5 million in settlement with the direcetor. On Monday, May 18 it was settled that American Apparel will shell out $5 million to the director-turned-hipster-icon for the unauthorized use of Allen's image on a billboard advertisement.
The billboard displayed an image of Allen from his 1977 classic, Annie Hall.
As it is, the ad that launched the lawsuit showed Allen dressed as a rabbi and featured Hebrew script, translated as "the holy rebbe," under which simply read the name of the company. The billboards were placed in New York and Los Angeles for just one week
Allen initially sought $10 million from the notorious hipster Mecca but agreed to $5 million after it was rumored that Dov Charney, the ironically-moustached American Apparel CEO, and his attorneys would call to the stand Allen's ex-wife, Mia Farrow. The controversy of the hunger strike participant's appearance on the stand stems from potentially salacious details about the director's relationship with current wife and former adoptive daughter, Soon-Yi Previn.
“Threats and press leaks by American Apparel designed to smear me did not work, and a scheme to call a long list of witnesses who had absolutely nothing to do with the case was also disallowed by the court,” Mr. Allen said outside the federal courthouse, reading from a statement.
“I suspect this dose of legal reality led to their 11th-hour settlement,” he added.
Charney remained true to hipster cliché and proved to be apathetic saying, “I’m not sorry for expressing myself,” he said. “I wish him the best with his career, and I am looking forward to his next film.”
Not shockingly, Charney held onto his own personal brand and in turn that of American Apparel when he replied to what his motivation for the tenacity of the case was.
“My intention was to call upon people to see beyond media — and lawsuit-inspired scandal, and to consider people for their true value and for their contribution to society,” he wrote, adding that the ads were “designed to inspire dialogue,” not sell clothes.
After the conclusion of the trial Allen revealed that his payout was the largest amount ever paid under New York's right to privacy law.
"I am told the settlement of $5 million I am being paid is the largest amount ever paid under the New York right to privacy law," the 72-year-old told reporters outside the courthouse.
Allen added that he hoped the settlement "would discourage American Apparel or anyone else from ever trying such a thing again."
But fear not hipsters, even with the hefty settlement you can still purchase sub-par quality apparel for above-par prices. Just remember to say thanks to mom and dad for their disposable income!
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Blaine Metzgar
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (1)
at 11:43 on May 18th, 2009
Yawn..