A selected summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

Billboard Firm Sues Riverside: The city of Riverside and its planning department were sued by Martin Communications Inc., which accused the city of violating free-speech rights by arranging the removal of a billboard near the 91 Freeway. The suit said the billboard’s removal Nov. 9 was prompted by the planning commission, which allegedly refused to grant a zoning change on the property unless the owner had the billboard taken down. Martin contends that it has lost $88,000 from the billboard’s removal. The suit seeks $378,000 in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. (Case No. 91-374. Filed Jan. 22)