Super Bowl Parties

[CopyrightSolver]

Hi folks. We just posted an article about churches and Super Bowl parties at Copyright Community.

Christmas and Easter present a creative platform for churches to reach their surrounding communities, but sandwiched between these holidays is a ubiquitous cultural event in February with just as much evangelistic drive. Now in its fifth decade, the National Football League’s Super Bowl has the largest economic impact of any regular human event with literally every demographic engaged in this annual national fervor.
Unlike previous years, churches are now preparing for viewing parties on Feb. 6th without fear of penalties and interference from the NFL for copyright infringement. The stage is set: two teams with quarterbacks in their 20’s hailing from two cities where game-time temps are often below 20o, will face off in Super Bowl XLV. Over the past several years churches faced chilling warnings and possible legal action if they hosted bowl parties.

Thanks to concessions by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL will not block religious organizations from hosting Super Bowl viewing parties. There are some important rules, however, to follow to side step possible copyright infringement:

1) Churches must show the game live on equipment they use in the course of ministry at their premises; recordings of the show are not permitted. (If you want some help obtaining licensing for recording TV shows and film, check out PERMISSIONSplus)

2) Churches cannot charge admission for the party. The NFL has stated, however, that churches may take up a donation to defray the cost of the event.

3) It’s advisable for churches to call the event a “big game” party rather than a “Super Bowl” party, as both the “NFL” and “Super Bowl” are trademarked and protected intellectual property.

You can read the full article here.

[katanna]

Thanks for the great information, the article is a great read.

Our church is having a Souper Bowl Party (in connection with Souper Bowl of Caring) and will be "charging" two cans of soup to get in (which goes to a local food bank).

Also want to point out that the Super Bowl is February 6th, not 7th as stated in this post.

Matthew

[CopyrightSolver]

Hi Matthew. Thanks for the kind words and the steady eyes. Typo fixed.

Best of luck for your event!

[TimW]

Sorry to revive this old thread - but to your knowledge, is the NFL still ok with churches having a viewing event? What about promoting it on our website and FaceBook page? As long as we don't use "Super Bowl" or "NFL" in the posting, are we ok?

Thanks