revelarts
12-29-2014, 06:47 PM
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20070201/140812.shtml
2007
NFL Wants To Remind You That Having People Over To Watch The Super Bowl On A Big Screen Is Copyright Infringement
from the laws-written-by-lobbyists dept
What is it with sports leagues and their desire to limit how their fans can enjoy the game? There's Major League Baseball, who keeps trying to insist that they own the facts related to a game, and no one can use them without paying MLB first. Then, there's the NFL, who freaked out about TiVo and also tried to ban any broadcasters from using "unauthorized" video feeds to show what happens in the stadium (i.e., no sideline cameras any more). They've been particularly fussy about the Super Bowl, however, forcing advertisers to call it "the Big Game" or whatever, claiming excessive control over the trademark (remember, trademarks are really designed to prevent consumer confusion, not to give holders full control over the mark).
The latest situation is perhaps even more bizarre -- but tragically, seems to fall closer to a correct legal reading of a really poorly written law. The NFL apparently nastygrammed a church for planning to host a Super Bowl party. The original complaint was first that the church was charging people, but also that they used the term "Super Bowl" (as if people would somehow believe that the church was associated with the NFL?). After the church agreed to let people in for free and not use the term, the NFL continued to complain, saying that showing the Super Bowl on a screen larger than 55 inches represents copyright infringement. While we, at first, doubted the reality of this, Ben Austro sent in the fact that it is, indeed, spelled out in copyright law that once you get above 55", you may be talking about a "public performance," though, as Ben notes, the wording sounds like it was clearly written by a lobbyist. No matter what the law states, this seems ridiculously short-sighted by the NFL. It's hard to see how they lose out in any meaningful way by not allowing groups to watch the Super Bowl together. Of course, now that this particular quirk of copyright law is getting some attention, how long will it be until the MPAA starts cracking down on those of you with really big screen TVs from showing movies in your home theaters. What was a joke just a few months ago, may become real....
2014
..."Many Churches enjoy gathering together to watch the Super Bowl each year, but they are unsure about necessary steps they must take in order to stay copyright compliant when doing so. What requirements must a church meet in order to host a "viewing party”? NFL: "If a church holds their “viewing party” in its usual place of worship and does not charge a fee for attending such viewing party. The NFL will not object when a church has a party for its congregants to watch the Super Bowl together." A key point in the NFL's response to churches is its allowance of a viewing party in its “usual place of worship”. This is an important qualification to understand. We understand that many churches do not have a typical church campus and many use rented public spaces to conduct worship services. Here is the NFL’s position on these situations. CCS: "Many churches that hold regular services meet in rented spaces (i.e. convention centers, hotel conference centers, movie theaters, and school auditoriums). Does your previously mentioned statement regarding “usual place of worship” also apply to churches in these situations?" NFL: "No, the NFL’s grant of permission is with respect to the church property (not rented spaces).” If you have questions about this or any other copyright-related activity for your church, contact our Copyright Solvers at 1-855-5SOLVER (576-5837). - See more at: http://www.christiancopyrightsolutions.com/blog/category/Super-Bowl-Church-Parties-NFL-Guidelines#sthash.jSSI2ZMP.dpuf
Southern Outdoor Cinema
http://blog.southernoutdoorcinema.com/rule-for-showing-movies-outdoors-in-public/
#1 Rule For Showing Movies Outdoors In Public
....To successfully hold a public movie viewing event without having to pay these fees and acquire the licensing, it is necessary to meet certain criteria. To show a production of a movie in a setting such as a church, a restaurant, or a school, there are parameters that must be met. To show a movie in a school and be exempt from obtaining a movie license
There must be a teacher present at all times during the viewing of the film.
The film must be shown in a classroom type setting.
The current school curriculum must be part of the movie being viewed.
If all of these parameters are met, the organization will be allowed to view the movie without the cost of the licenses and fees associated with the copyright.
Perhaps the most important reason for paying the licensing fees when operating an outdoor theater is the performers and the art itself. These people who have worked all of their lives to be seen on the big screen are just people like you and I. They have personal lives and families. They have bills and worries just like everyone else. They too deserve the paycheck that they earn by creating some of the best cinema ever. Their jobs are very demanding and often keep them away from their homes and families for long periods of time to create these unforgettable films....
sorta old news but...
2007
NFL Wants To Remind You That Having People Over To Watch The Super Bowl On A Big Screen Is Copyright Infringement
from the laws-written-by-lobbyists dept
What is it with sports leagues and their desire to limit how their fans can enjoy the game? There's Major League Baseball, who keeps trying to insist that they own the facts related to a game, and no one can use them without paying MLB first. Then, there's the NFL, who freaked out about TiVo and also tried to ban any broadcasters from using "unauthorized" video feeds to show what happens in the stadium (i.e., no sideline cameras any more). They've been particularly fussy about the Super Bowl, however, forcing advertisers to call it "the Big Game" or whatever, claiming excessive control over the trademark (remember, trademarks are really designed to prevent consumer confusion, not to give holders full control over the mark).
The latest situation is perhaps even more bizarre -- but tragically, seems to fall closer to a correct legal reading of a really poorly written law. The NFL apparently nastygrammed a church for planning to host a Super Bowl party. The original complaint was first that the church was charging people, but also that they used the term "Super Bowl" (as if people would somehow believe that the church was associated with the NFL?). After the church agreed to let people in for free and not use the term, the NFL continued to complain, saying that showing the Super Bowl on a screen larger than 55 inches represents copyright infringement. While we, at first, doubted the reality of this, Ben Austro sent in the fact that it is, indeed, spelled out in copyright law that once you get above 55", you may be talking about a "public performance," though, as Ben notes, the wording sounds like it was clearly written by a lobbyist. No matter what the law states, this seems ridiculously short-sighted by the NFL. It's hard to see how they lose out in any meaningful way by not allowing groups to watch the Super Bowl together. Of course, now that this particular quirk of copyright law is getting some attention, how long will it be until the MPAA starts cracking down on those of you with really big screen TVs from showing movies in your home theaters. What was a joke just a few months ago, may become real....
2014
..."Many Churches enjoy gathering together to watch the Super Bowl each year, but they are unsure about necessary steps they must take in order to stay copyright compliant when doing so. What requirements must a church meet in order to host a "viewing party”? NFL: "If a church holds their “viewing party” in its usual place of worship and does not charge a fee for attending such viewing party. The NFL will not object when a church has a party for its congregants to watch the Super Bowl together." A key point in the NFL's response to churches is its allowance of a viewing party in its “usual place of worship”. This is an important qualification to understand. We understand that many churches do not have a typical church campus and many use rented public spaces to conduct worship services. Here is the NFL’s position on these situations. CCS: "Many churches that hold regular services meet in rented spaces (i.e. convention centers, hotel conference centers, movie theaters, and school auditoriums). Does your previously mentioned statement regarding “usual place of worship” also apply to churches in these situations?" NFL: "No, the NFL’s grant of permission is with respect to the church property (not rented spaces).” If you have questions about this or any other copyright-related activity for your church, contact our Copyright Solvers at 1-855-5SOLVER (576-5837). - See more at: http://www.christiancopyrightsolutions.com/blog/category/Super-Bowl-Church-Parties-NFL-Guidelines#sthash.jSSI2ZMP.dpuf
Southern Outdoor Cinema
http://blog.southernoutdoorcinema.com/rule-for-showing-movies-outdoors-in-public/
#1 Rule For Showing Movies Outdoors In Public
....To successfully hold a public movie viewing event without having to pay these fees and acquire the licensing, it is necessary to meet certain criteria. To show a production of a movie in a setting such as a church, a restaurant, or a school, there are parameters that must be met. To show a movie in a school and be exempt from obtaining a movie license
There must be a teacher present at all times during the viewing of the film.
The film must be shown in a classroom type setting.
The current school curriculum must be part of the movie being viewed.
If all of these parameters are met, the organization will be allowed to view the movie without the cost of the licenses and fees associated with the copyright.
Perhaps the most important reason for paying the licensing fees when operating an outdoor theater is the performers and the art itself. These people who have worked all of their lives to be seen on the big screen are just people like you and I. They have personal lives and families. They have bills and worries just like everyone else. They too deserve the paycheck that they earn by creating some of the best cinema ever. Their jobs are very demanding and often keep them away from their homes and families for long periods of time to create these unforgettable films....
sorta old news but...