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Thou Shalt Not View The Super Bowl on a 56" Screen

Posted by Zonk on from the that's-like-the-fourteenth-commandment-right dept.

theodp writes "For 200 members of the Immanuel Bible Church and their friends, the annual Super Bowl party is over thanks to the NFL, which explained that airing NFL games at churches on large-screen TV sets violates the NFL copyright. Federal copyright law includes an exemption for sports bars, according to NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, but churches are out of luck. Churchgoers who aren't averse to a little drinking-and-driving still have the opportunity to see the game together in public on a screen bigger than 55 inches."

3 of 680 comments (clear)

  1. The Real Story... by quetwo · · Score: 0, Redundant

    They did not get called out because of their large screen -- rather it was because they had :

      - A large screen
      - Invited the 'public' to view the event
      - Charged for admission to the event

    The NFL has no problem with home-viewings (even if it is on a 100' television!). It is when people make it a public showing. Charging admission makes it even less 'legal'. You must purchase a license for the public showing to make it legal.

  2. Re:Ah, I read a different article where they were. by Compholio · · Score: 0, Redundant

    What I object to is that the issue is that CHURCHES can't do it. This attitude that churches should not have to play by the same rules as everyone else drives me up the wall. The suggestion that the legislature should amend federal law to create ANOTHER carve-out for churches is ridiculous.
    All this church wants is the same rights and privileges as a bar. So, let's take your statement and replace "church" with "bar" and you'll have what is really going on.
    Not exactly, I bet you that bars can't charge admission for watching the game. Sure, they charge you for beverages but the church event is charging you even if you don't consume anything. The policy appears to be "you can show the game as long as you don't charge people for it" (though you can charge for any ADDITIONAL services you provide).
  3. Re:Good luck with that, NFL by methangel · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I for one welcome our new Superbowl overlords.