MILAN (Italy), July 5th, 2010 (AFP) - U.S. actor George Clooney has been called to testify before a Northern Milan Court on July 16th as part of a lawsuit against three people who have hijacked the star's name to create a fashion label, judge announced on Monday.

U.S. actor George Clooney, whose name was used for fake fashion line

"There will be many people attending, I guess," judge J. Pietro Caccialanza said during a hearing, according to ANSA news agency.

Maria Grazia Mantelli, the actor's lawyer who is a plaintiff in the trial, said that Mr. Clooney would be present. The hearing is scheduled for noon (10.00 GMT).

The judge said he had called for more marshals than usual to ensure the court functions in an "orderly manner." Before adding with a smile that there still should be space for "those who want to be close to their hero."

The three people in this trial are charged with fraud, forgery and concealing of a fashion line created by taking the name of the American star.

George Clooney is regularly in Italy, where he owns a house on Lake Como, near Milan and visits his Sardinian model and presenter girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis.