Montreal Municipal Judge Andre Hotte ruled in favor of the borough of Pierrefonds, which has an ordinance banning the painting of signs on buildings, The Montreal Gazette reported. Theodore Antonopoulos said he plans to appeal.

"People cannot paint whatever they want on their homes," Hotte said as he delivered his ruling. "What about the aesthetic aspect? What if everyone painted their sports team, their country's flag, even Mickey Mouse on their home? If everyone expresses their patriotism, that is visual pollution and not harmonious with the neighborhood."

Antonopoulos' parents emigrated from Greece to Canada.

A spokesman for the borough said Antonopoulos will get a reasonable time to remove the offending flag.