It's Time for court: In a move that could give cable companies everywhere pause for thought, the city of Los Angeles is to sue Time Warner Cable for causing "major havoc and distress" to its customers.

The lawsuit claims the company violated its franchise agreement with the city by having subscribers spend hours on hold with customer service representatives and allowing excessive repair-work delays. "Hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles residents were ripped off," the city's attorney-general said in a statement. "Time Warner must be held accountable for its promises."