*Legal schmegal

The billboard company that placed a monster supergraphic ad on the First National Bank building in Hollywood didn't have a permit. But so what? Billboard companies have routinely flouted the law - the money is too good and the consequences are not at all severe. Just hire a good lawyer and you're set. The Hollywood ad went up just a few days after City Attorney Carmen Trutanich filed a lawsuit against another billboard company, World Wide Rush, alleging that supergraphics pose a public nuisance. From the LAT:

Dennis Hathaway, president of the Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight, said he was surprised to see the image go up so soon after Trutanich filed his case against World Wide Rush. "To put it up a day after is like thumbing their nose at the city," he said. "Either they're not afraid of the city or they figure it's worth the risk," he said. "There's a lot of money involved."

By the way, the ad that went up in Hollywood is for the upcoming movie "How to Train Your Dragon," which is being released by DreamWorks Animation, which happens to be run by Jeffrey Katzenberg. Where is he in all this?

*Supergraphics arrest: This story just keeps getting stranger. Kevin has the details at LAO.