Allen Fires Back At Clothing Bosses Over Soon-yi

The Oscar-winning filmmaker, 73, filed a $10 million (£6.7 million) lawsuit against bosses at American Apparel last year (08), claiming advertising chiefs used his likeness on billboards without his consent.

He was depicted dressed as a rabbi in ads placed across New York and Los Angeles.

Lawyers for the clothing company's boss Dov Charney claim Allen's well-publicised troubles with ex-girlfriend Mia Farrow, and his marriage to their adopted daughter Previn, have soiled his reputation and insist the director's endorsement isn't worth a multi-million dollar payout.

Allen's lawyers fired back in a Manhattan federal court filing on Wednesday (15Apr09), saying: "The clear, underlying objective of this latest... campaign is to seek to tarnish Mr. Allen's reputation a second time."

His lawyers also allege the director has received "numerous unsolicited (advertisement) offers... most in the multi-million dollar range".

The case is due to go to trial on 18 May (09) in Manhattan Federal Court.