• The Associated Press, Wednesday, March 18, 2009 9:33 AM

Score one for big billboards. A federal judge found the city of Los Angeles in contempt of court this week for issuing citations against a company that erects enormous outdoor advertising signs. In a tentative decision, the judge said the city would have to rescind citations it issued against World Wide Rush LLC for its massive signs draped across two buildings and must pay the company's legal fees, which are expected to be around $100,000.

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. The ruling said city officials had no right to withhold permits or issue citations. World Wide Rush had argued that exceptions to the supergraphics ban made it unconstitutional.

Los Angeles 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.

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