Woody Allen Says American Apparel Is Harassing Him

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2008 file photo, U.S. actor and director performs with the Woody Allen Star...

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2008 file photo, U.S. actor and director performs with the Woody Allen Star Team in the 'Kulturpalast' hall in Dresden, Eastern Germany Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. The 73-year-old Allen touched off a fight recently, against American Apparel when he sued the company last year, a year after his image appeared on the company's billboards in Hollywood and New York and on a Web site. (AP Photo/Britta Engler, file)

(AP)
More Photos

Actor-director Woody Allen has accused a clothing company of trying to harass and intimidate him with a "scorched earth" approach to defending itself against a $10 million lawsuit. In papers filed Wednesday by his lawyers, the 73-year-old Allen said American Apparel Inc. went too far in requesting information about his family life, personal finances and career.

Allen sued the company last year for using his image on the company's billboards in Hollywood and New York and on a Web site. Allen, who does not endorse products in the United States, said he had not authorized the displays, which the Los Angeles-based company said were up for a week.

The new court papers said American Apparel has "adopted a `scorched earth' approach," issuing broad document requests and subpoenas to many people close to him, including his sister.

Related

PHOTOS: Woody Allen's Leading Ladies

Sex Sells -- or Brings a Backlash

Stars Behave Badly & Fans Just Don't Care

Allen's lawyers said the company was seeking to "tarnish Mr. Allen's reputation a second time" and called it a "despicable effort to intimate" him.

American Apparel lawyer Stuart Slotnick said the company plans to make Allen's relationships to actress Mia Farrow and her adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn, whom Allen married, the focus of a trial scheduled to begin in federal court in Manhattan on May 18.

"Woody Allen expects $10 million for use of his image on billboards that were up and down in less than one week," Slotnick said. "I think Woody Allen overestimates the value of his image."

He said the company's belief was 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."

One billboard featured a frame from "Annie Hall," a film that won Allen a best-director Oscar. The image showed Allen dressed as a Hasidic Jew with a long beard and black hat and Yiddish text. The words "American Apparel" also were on the billboard.

Allen's lawsuit said the billboard falsely implied he sponsored, endorsed or was associated with American Apparel.