Yesterday's Indianapolis Star reports that the NFL is telling churches-- even through demand letters sent by overnight express-- that they will be violating the copyright laws if they host Super Bowl parties on large-screen TV's. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said: "We have contracts with our (TV) networks to provide free over-the-air television for people at home. The network economics are based on television ratings and at-home viewing. Out-of-home viewing is not measured by Nielsen." The only exception is for sports bars and other businesses that show televised sports as a part of their everyday operations. The NFL also objected to plans by Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis to show a video at their Super Bowl party of the Christian testimonies of Colts coach Tony Dungy and Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith. The NFL says that for groups other than businesses that regularly show televised sports events, gatherings are limited to use of one TV set no larger than 55 inches, no admission fees may be charged (even to pay for refreshments), no "message" may be promoted in connection with the game, and "Super Bowl" may not be used in the publicity. Christianity Today's Weblog has more on this story.
UPDATE: Compliments of a posting on Religionlaw by Marty Lederman, here are the copyright law sections involved. 17 USC 106(5) gives the copyright owner the "exclusive right" to "publicly display" an audiovisual work. However there is an exemption in 17 USC 110(5)(B) for displays that comply with certain limitations.
