Washington, Apr 17 : Filmmaker Woody Allen has slammed American clothing company for engaging in "despicable effort to intimidate" him by dredging up his affair with adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker had sued clothing firm American Apparel for 6.7 million pounds last year for using his likeness on billboards without his consent, and tarnishing his image.

However, the company hit back at the claims by arguing it couldn''t have tarnished his reputation by using his image, as the director has already ruined it by having an affair with his stepdaughter.

They insisted that director''s endorsement isn''t worth a multi-million dollar payout.

Now, Allen''s lawyers have fired back at the company in a Manhattan federal court filing.

"The clear, underlying objective of this latest... campaign is to seek to tarnish Mr. Allen''s reputation a second time," the Daily Express quoted the lawyers as saying.

They 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. (ANI)