White Pearl Inversiones S.A. v. Cemusa, Inc.

EASTERBROOK, Chief Judge.

Shelters at bus stops and trash baskets on municipal streets are no longer just shelters and trash baskets. They have become “street furniture.” With the change of name comes an opportunity for advertising. Instead of paying someone to build and maintain fixtures, cities invite specialized enterprises to pay them. The vendors erect and maintain the street furniture at them own expense, financing the venture by advertising. Vendors give the cities a cut of that income. Whichever firm offers a city the most lucrative deal gets the contract — provided the city deems the…