The future of fly posting in London will be put to the test on Friday when four staff members from ambient marketing firm Diabolical Liberties go to court to face allegations their role in organising flyposting campaigns constitutes anti-social behaviour.
As previously reported, the court case follows legal threats by two London local authorities who have been trying to find a way to stop flyposting for years. They hope that by having flyposting classified as anti-social behaviour they can secure anti-social behaviour orders against people involved in flyposting campaigns - meaning those individuals could face prison if they continue to flypost.
Threatened with such anti-social behaviour orders by Camden and Westminster councils, most media and entertainment companies in London have pledged to stop flyposting. However Diabolical Liberties, who coordinate flyposting campaigns, have decided to fight the councils. They claim their role in flyposting does not constitute anti-social behaviour, particularly as, they argue, they have been trying to persuade Camden Council to launch a regulated street poster system for some time.
Diabolical Liberties claim such proposals are very socially responsible, but have been so far met with resistance by the local authority.
The courts will decide whether flyposting, or more to the point Diabolical Liberties' role in organising flyposting campaigns, is anti-social behaviour at London's Highbury Corner Magistrates Court tomorrow afternoon.
Camden Council yesterday alerted journalists of the start time of the court case (2pm) in case they wanted to attend. Of course if they wanted a really big crowd for the proceedings I find a flyposting campaign is the best way to get a big audience.