Woody Allen settles American Apparel infringement for $5 Million
Woody Allen has settled a lawsuit against American Apparel for $5 Million. The suit was over two unlicensed, unauthorized billboards for American Apparel in New York and Los Angeles, in May of 2007. The billboards depicted Woody Allen as an Orthodox Jew in a still photo taken from his movie Annie Hall, along with Yiddish text declaring Allen “the High Rabbi.” This website, http://www.RightOfPublicity.com, is referenced in Business Week’s ( http://www.BusinessWeek.com ) coverage of the suit. Another interesting aspect of this situation is that the settlement is being reported and publicized. In the realm of Right of Publicity litigation, it is often very difficult to ascertain the monetary aspects of a dispute unless you are directly involved. In all likelihood, Allen had an expert witness working for him to substantiate the valuation which could have become the basis for the settlement.
http://www.RightOfPublicity.com