NFL sues for watching game on plasma screen t.v. larger than 55 inches?

Question

I JUST HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT THE NFL IS THREATENING TO SUE A CHURCH BECAUSE THEY ARE SHOWING THE SUPERBOWL ON A WALL AND THEY WERE SAYING THAT WAS AGAINST COPYRIGHT RULES. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT CAN'T BE ON A PLASMA T.V. SCREEN LARGER THAN 55 INCHES?

Answer 1

Well... that's almost true :)

This article should clear things up:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/specials/playoffs/2006/02/01/bc.fbn.superbowl.church.ap/index.html

It basically says that you cannot have a 55 inch screen to show the Super Bowl at an OUT-OF-HOME venue.

The exception to this is sports bars (don't ask me why) where it's their normal business to show sporting events.

If you watch the super bowl at home or a friends house, the screen can be as big as you want it to be. :)

Answer 2

Isn't this stupid? It's because they were using the words "Super Bowl" to promote it and because of the size of the screen.

Yet they let bars, because they normally show sporting events, use those words and have a bigger screen (if they have one). They bars will profit from this, from all the alcohol consumed.

However, they refuse to let a church hold an event, which people of ALL ages can attend, with no money being made in the process. Completely pathetic on the part of the NFL.

To events here in my city (one also at a church, the other at the public library) have now canceled the events, just in case the NFL wants to sue them, too.

Answer 3

This was brought up a year or two ago. Some place in Vegas had to bring in smaller t.v.'s to comply. I'm not sure how often the NFL gets involved with things like this but I have heard of it before.

Answer 4

I have not heard of that but if they are using the word SuperBowl than they can be sued. That is why most say the Big game or super Party
NFL owns the Super Bowl name

Answer 5

I heard that too, but I think it is because the church in Indianapolis was charging people to see the game. The NFL didn't like that. I still plan to have my Super Bowl Party.

Answer 6

Oh boy, not the football police again. Just how in the heck are THEY going to control that. So was the church going to use the game as a fund raiser or something--I can see that being a problem, but then again, how are THEY going to find out unless decent people ask the question.

Answer 7

Re-read the code. It's not illegal. Relevant words in caps for emphasis. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, the following are NOT infringements of copyright communication by an ESTABLISHMENT of a transmission or retransmission embodying a performance or display of a nondramatic musical work intended to be received by the general public, originated by a radio or television broadcast station licensed as such by the Federal Communications Commission, or, if an audiovisual transmission, by a cable system or satellite carrier, if— in the case of an ESTABLISHMENT other than a food service or drinking establishment, either the establishment in which the communication occurs has less than 2,000 gross square feet of space (excluding space used for customer parking and for no other purpose), or the establishment in which the communication occurs has 2,000 or more gross square feet of space (excluding space used for customer parking and for no other purpose) AND—

Answer 8

Don't understand you, but watching NFL on a plasma screen T.V. is very cool (because i have one)

Answer 9

Damn. I got a 60" plasma. Just hope the NFL people dont come to my apartment and measure my TV.

Answer 10

"this broadcast is intended for home use only and may not be distibuted without written consent of the nfl"

I doubt this is true because every bar in America shows the game, and some have those huge wall sized screens.