Posted on 02/01/2007 7:38:48 AM PST by pctech
Fall Creek Baptist Church Family...
We regret to inform you that we have had to cancel our bash to view the Colts game this Sunday in a family friendly environment due to the fact that the NFL believes we would be in violation of the Copyright Act, because we had planned to show the game on a screen bigger than a 55 inch diagonal. We have appealed to their legal counsel and exhausted all options without success. We have been informed that the only exceptions to view the game are given to sports bars and restaurants. While we have argued that we only intend to provide a family oriented environment that will make no profit from the showing, the NFL claims that our event cannot proceed by law. Therefore, we have no choice but to challenge this in court or cancel the event. We choose to cancel the event. We deeply regret that we have been prohibited by the NFL from providing a family friendly environment for celebrating the Colts great season.
Pastor John
Check the posts to the article. Lots of upset people out there.
But what you folks think about this? I know my initial reaction is one of shock and anger but after thinking about it, this doesn't surprise me. I will say that they've lost a viewer and I'm going to send this article to others I know. Perhaps the word can get out and people can flood the NFL's offices with calls and emails demanding they change their stance.
PS - I wonder why this isn't on DrudgeReport??? Anyone know where I can email him to tell him about this?
Use multiple smaller screens.........
So have it with a screen less than 55 inches.
Go to his website and he has a text box for sending tips.
Scroll down on his screen and you will see his address to forward the lead.
Celebrate in the "family-friendly" environment of your own home. That way you can avoid exposure to your fellow churchmembers' colds and flus, as well as not having to drive home with all the folks celebrating in a non-family-friendly way.
Personally, I would have told the NFL that I disagreed with their interpretation and that if they wanted the bad publicity of trying to sue a church over it, they were welcome to try.
The nature of the halftime shows and some of the commercials make this a showing unsuitable for youngsters. I always turn off the half-time show.
You left out a couple of key facts - like they were charging for the party and using some copyrighted material to promote it.
NFL PARTY RULES
For groups that want to host Super Bowl parties -- other than sports bars and businesses that normally show televised sports -- here are rules the NFL says must be followed:
• No admission fees (even to pay for snacks).
• Only one television (55 inches or smaller).
• No use of the words "Super Bowl" in promotional materials.
• No exhibition of the game in connection with events "that promote a message."
Source: NFL
The key word here is groups - if you invite twenty friends over to watch the game on your 72" flat panel the NFL isn't going to knock down your door and bust up your party.
How big would Janet Jackson's boob be on a larger than 55" screen?
Ironic... IndyStar doesn't allow article reposting out of IndyStar infringement concerns so we can't read an article about NFL infringement concerns!
Copyright law defines the size at which the broadcast image can be exhibited...? That's obscene, as is most of the copyright law Congress has tailored for monied interests in the last few decades.
A Freeper, TraderRob has this story on his blog, I bet others do as well.
I think it's a blessing in disguise.
Our church tried this last year. They were ready for 100 and only 5 showed.
Everybody still laughs about it.
just use it and dont tell the NFL.(to steal someones holier than though thunder, let it be known, I am an evil sinner)
If they want to control what happens to their programming, they shouldn't broadcast it across private property.
Have you seen the rap sheets on your average NFL team roster? Somehow I don't think bad publicity is on the NFL's radar. Nor do I think any bad publicity would hurt their bottom line.
NFL = GREED
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