As the result of a legal skirmish over the contents of a California outdoor board, a federal court has ruled that the state's Outdoor Advertising Act is unconstitutional. The reason is that the law
favors commercial speech over non-commercial speech, according to the ruling. However, a precise definition of what constitutes non-commercial speech remains hazy. The legal tussle was sparked when
state authorities told the owner of a billboard on Highway 101 that he could only lease the sign to commercial businesses operating in his building. The man's attorney said the state challenged his
client in court even when the billboard read ''In God we trust,'' ''We pray for world peace'' and ''Help stop terrorism.'' The latter included phone numbers for the FBI, the Red Cross and other
agencies. A U.S. District court judge ruled that the state does not have the right to ban non-commercial speech on billboards if it permits commercial speech as the law allows.
advertisement
advertisement
Read the whole story at San Jose Mercury News »
