Avril Lavigne, seen here in Los Angeles in November, has lashed back against those who question her songwriting abilities in a message on her website. "Chantal's comments are damaging to my reputation and a clear defamation of my character and I am considering taking legal action," Lavigne wrote on her website late Friday. Kreviazuk's recent claims to Performing Songwriter magazine are nothing more than sour grapes, Lavigne says, resulting from unsuccessful songwriting collaborations between the two.

"My decision to discontinue working with Chantal after co-writing together on my second record was simply based on the fact that we had no hits together. That is why her name is not on this record, despite her numerous attempts to be included, which were always denied. From my perspective, this is a clear case of bitterness.

" Lavigne also alleges that Kreviazuk e-mailed her after the magazine hit the stands to apologize for her suggestion that the song on Lavigne's latest hit album was hers. "I forgive her but I have to put the truth out there so my fans are not confused by these false accusations," Lavigne wrote. Lavigne, repeatedly dogged by accusations she doesn't write her own songs, was equally miffed about being dragged into a legal battle to prove she wrote her chart-topping hit, Avril Lavigne, seen here in Los Angeles in November, has lashed back against those who question her songwriting abilities in a message on her website.