Los Angeles Loses Ruling on Supergraphics

A federal judge tentatively found the city of Los Angeles in contempt of court Monday, March 16, 2009, for violating an injunction by issuing citations against a company that erects enormous outdoor advertising signs.

U.S. District Judge Audrey B. Collins, in a written tentative decision, said the city must rescind citations it issued against World Wide Rush LLC for its supergraphics draped across two buildings within 10 days and pay the company’s legal fees, which are expected to be roughly $100,000.

Collins noted that World Wide Rush was cited for hanging signs without permits, although the city had refused to issue permits, citing a ban on so-called supergraphics.

She ruled city officials had no right to withhold permits or issue citations because of the August injunction, which was enacted after World Wide Rush argued exceptions to the supergraphics ban made it unconstitutional.

City officials have been trying to halt the proliferation of giant advertising signage that critics say distracts drivers and creates ugly streetscapes.

A temporary ban on new signs was passed by the city council in December to give city planners time to devise new regulations after World Wide Rush successfully challenged a previous, more selective ban on supergraphics.

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