Two of the most prolific billboard owners in the country have until end of day Monday to unplug at least 77 digital billboards across Los Angeles
Dozens of blinking ads operated by Clear Channel Outdoor and CBS have been in limbo since Superior Court Judge Terry Green determined in 2009 that permits issued as part of a 2006 settlement between the two billboard companies and the city were given out illegally.
The companies appealed the ruling and have since refused to turn off the signs, even after the state Supreme Court refused in February to hear their appeal.
Green last week set Monday as the deadline for shutting off the 77 or more billboards, while also invalidating three additional permits. He was expected to make a determination on 20 more signs on Tuesday.
"The courts have spoken and the time has come for CBS and Clear Channel Outdoor to turn off their digital signs in keeping with the law," City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said.
The billboards have drawn protest from residents who say the brightly illuminated ads create blight and shine into their yards and homes.
Trutanich last month called on the companies to shut off the signs, after one of those companies sent a letter threatening to sue the city if their permits are revoked.
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Clear Channel Outdoor will obey the order and turn off the signs, but "will take all legal steps to renew operation of our signs in order to serve our customers and the community," its vice president of marketing and communication David Grabert said.
"Turning off these signs, even temporarily, hurts the community and the economy of the city of Los Angeles by eliminating a vital public safety and community resource and a valuable effective advertising tool for local and national businesses," Grabert said.
Clear Channel Outdoor is “committed to working collaboratively with city leaders and stakeholders to establish a legislative solution for digital signs," Grabert said.
The original lawsuit challenging the 2006 settlement was filed by Summit Media, a billboard company that does not operate any digital signs. An attorney for Summit was not immediately available for comment.
