The commercial capital of the world is aiming a punch at commercialism. The result? Lawsuits, of course.

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance on Friday that will ban new digital billboards, multistory “supergraphics” and certain freeway-facing signs in a rat-race effort to beat down any possibility that its temporary ban might be struck down in court.

The measure came as the council’s first definite move “to prevent our neighborhoods from being wallpapered,” said Councilman Ed Reyes, after a year of passing temporary bans to buy more time.

Now, the council is facing a legal challenge from Liberty Media Group that will be heard before a federal judge on August 17. The council is worried that its ordinance will be struck down during summer recess, Reyes said, in which case advertising companies would have plenty of time to bombard the city with new sign applications.

Despite efforts to nip digital outdoor advertising in the bud, the council’s motivations are still, of course, primarily cosmetic. Other objections point to road safety, since flashing signs can mean distractions for drivers. Outdoor advertising companies counter that distraction claims have never been fully proven. And they're probably right: drivers are too busy texting to be distracted by billboards.

According to City Hall lobbyist Sheri Bonstelle, whose law firm represents a company that is fighting to keep a supergraphic on the side of the Roosevelt Hotel, the ban will only invite more lawsuits.

"You're not creating the solution that you desire," she said, presumably drumming the tips of her fingers together menacingly.

It seems that Los Angeles is finding that, for once, cosmetic surgery is the problem rather than the solution.

Previously

[+] L.A. city council bans type of military-grade ammo