Allen sues clothing company for use of film image on billboard

Woody Allen finds nothing amusing about an American Apparel billboard depicting him as a bearded Hasidic Jew.

A spokesman for Allen said the Hollywood actor-director plans to be in court in New York today when his $10m (€7.4m) lawsuit against the trendy clothing company is scheduled for jury selection. Barring a last-minute settlement, Allen would be called as the first witness.

The 72-year-old claims he is owed millions because he never gave permission to use a frame of him from his film 'Annie Hall'.

Los Angeles-based American Apparel claims it was merely exercising its freedom of expression with the advertisement, which went up briefly in 2007 in Hollywood and New York.

Company founder Dov Charney has said he has deep respect for Allen.