Flogos Hits Toronto
A single Flogo can travel as far as 30 miles and as high as 20000 feet, Guerra says
Yesterday on Torontoist, David Topping reported on the latest, and perhaps most illegal, innovation in the outdoor advertising industry to hit Toronto.
Turns out that Flogos Canada has set up operations. Flogos are floating billboards in the shape of a corporate logo. They are a type of sign that is not permitted in any of the City’s signs by-laws and are therefore illegal. Yesterday Flogos made their first appearance in Toronto. Here is Topping’s report from Torontoist:
March 28th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Where in Toronto’s by-laws does it say “any form of advertising NOT described within these bylaws shall be considered illegal”?
The Signs by-law defines “sign” quite broadly; it then requires a permit before a sign can be displayed; it then defines the types of signs can obtain permits, and where those signs are permitted. A sign that does not comply with the definitions of any of the defined types of signs cannot obtain a permit and therefore requires a variance in order for it to be lawfully displayed. All of Toronto’s signs by-laws work in the same way. A newfangled type of sign is always automatically prohibited by these laws unless it fits the existing definitions. Furthermore, Flogos are trespassing over private and public properties without the property owners’ permission.
Should I asume that because “rocking on the front porch swing” is not described in any lawbook as being legal, that it too is illegal? Get a grip before you condemn everything you see as “OMG it’s ILLEGAL — call the cops!!”
No, rocking on the front porch does not require a permit, but the porch does, and it has to comply with the zoning by-laws.
Did the Wright brothers break the law by flying just because there was no law to say they COULD fly that first time — why would there be? Until they did it, no one else had ever done it before, to NEED laws. Essentially what you’re saying is “I know time travel isn’t possible, but let’s make it illegal just in case someone invents it one day….”
That’s weak. -Rami
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Regardless if it’s considered a “sign” or not, I would expect that the company producing these could be (and SHOULD be!) fined for littering. I’d be willing to bet that the advertising company responsible doesn’t track down and pick up each Flogo once it finally comes to the ground.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:00 am
Jeff: I’m not a fan of Flogos, but they’re essentially combinations of soap and helium that dissolve mid-air — thus, in theory, no litter.