NewsWest 9
MARFA - The controversy around the Playboy bunny sculpture in Marfa is heating up yet again.
On Tuesday, the Texas Department of Transportation said the logo was illegal and had to come down. But now, Playboy is responding and said they're not taking it down without a fight.
The logo went up outside of Marfa just a few weeks ago and it's been ruffling feathers ever since.
Playboy Enterprises, along with artist, Richard Phillips, put up the sign to revamp the company's image through art.
TxDOT ordered the bunny to come down because the landowners didn't have an outdoor advertising license and an application for one was never submitted.
The agency also said the area where the logo is at doesn't even qualify for a permit so the bunny has to come down.
This all happened after a resident made a complaint.
We're hearing from Playboy and they tell NewsWest 9, they want the sign to stay.
In fact, a spokesperson for the company claims they even spoke with Marfa city officials about the logo before it ever went up.
In a statement, the spokesperson said, "We do not believe that the art installation by Richard Phillips violates any laws, rules or regulations. Our legal counsel is currently looking into this matter and we hope to resolve this issue satisfactorily and as quickly as possible."
TxDOT said the landowner has 45 days to remove the sign.
