Hosting a Game Day Bash? Brush Up on Copyright Basics

The first Sunday in February is a big day for sports fans. In fact, many Americans view Super Bowl Sunday as a national holiday. Friends and families will gather this year to watch the big game, enjoy delicious snacks, and of course, critique the commercials that go along with game day.

Because it’s a great opportunity for fun and fellowship, many churches reach out to their communities by hosting game day parties. However, in 2007, the NFL made churches think twice by sending a cease-and-desist letter to an Indianapolis church, ordering it to cancel a “Super Bowl Bash” the church was planning to host for about 400 members and their guests. The league cited its copyright infringement policy as the reason for contacting the church. Continue reading for recommendations from Brotherhood Mutual to help avoid the same for your ministry.

Party On, with a Few Precautions

The 2007 incident received a great deal of attention from the media and lawmakers. As a result, the NFL clarified its stance and granted churches permission to show the game as long as they follow a few specific guidelines. The guidelines that hold true today include:

  • The game must be shown on equipment your church regularly uses in a space the church owns. If your church owns a big screen and sound equipment that it uses for Sunday worship services, the game can be shown using this equipment. Renting space to watch the game is not allowed, even if your church rents space for regular worship services.
  • Your church cannot charge admission for your party. However, you may accept donations to defray the cost of food and other supplies.
  • To eliminate the risk of copyright infringement, your church should avoid using the logos of the NFL, the Super Bowl, and the participating teams. Referring to the NFL, the Super Bowl, or the teams by name is permissible.

Brush Up on Copyright Basics

Whether or not your church is hosting a game day celebration, sporting events like the Super Bowl provide a timely opportunity to brush up on copyright basics. For ministry-specific copyright information, be sure to check out the following resources here on BrotherhoodMutual.com:

Articles

Complying with Copyright Laws
Copyright Laws and Fair Use

Legal Q&A

Complying with Copyright Law

April 3, 2023
Tragedy in Nashville
Tragedy in Nashville: What can we learn from the Covenant School shooting?
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
March 17, 2023
Worry-Free Mission Travel
Worry-Free Mission Travel
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
March 17, 2023
HR Document Library at your Fingertips
HR Document Library at your Fingertips
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
March 17, 2023
Highlights from Recent Security Training Events
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
January 24, 2023
Wind and Hail – Deductible Buyback
Wind and Hail – Deductible Buyback
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
January 24, 2023
Common Questions About Our Agency
Common Questions About Our Agency
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
January 24, 2023
Coming to your area in 2023
Coming to your area in 2023
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
January 24, 2023
Kingdom Advancing Grant
Kingdom Advancing Grant
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
January 24, 2023
ACG Retreat in Kansas City
ACG Retreat in Kansas City
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
January 23, 2023
Loaning Your Ministry's Facilities
Loaning Your Ministry's Facilities
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
January 23, 2023
Protecting You and Your Ministry Partners
Protecting You and Your Ministry Partners
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
January 9, 2023
Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
Tags: insurance, coverage, ministry
November 18, 2022
Our Team is Growing, Again!
November 10, 2022
We Want To Hear From You!
We Want To Hear From You!

There are a lot of hats worn in any growing ministry – and we want to serve every one of them. 

Tags: insurance
November 10, 2022
Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan
Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan

With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.

Tags: insurance, property, volunteer safety, fire safety
November 10, 2022
Holiday Season Safety & Security: 3 Things to Plan Before Christmas
Holiday Season Safety & Security: 3 Things to Plan Before Christmas

The holidays present unique opportunities and challenges for churches that aren’t typical during other times of the year. A lot of the ministries that I work with are seeing steady increases in attendance and are praying for a significant jump in Christmas service participation this year. 

Tags: insurance
October 26, 2022
October 2022 Blog: What is a 403(B)(9) Retirement Plan?
October 2022 Blog: What is a 403(B)(9) Retirement Plan?

In this article, Brad Brown from Plan A Wealth Management gives a wonderful insight into why ministries might consider choosing a 403(B)(9) retirement plan.  

Tags: insurance, property, taxes, retirement, retirement plan
September 21, 2022
Inflation's Major Impact on Ministries
Inflation's Major Impact on Ministries
Tags: insurance, schools, churches, building, property
September 21, 2022
Report Reveals How Students are Feeling About Their Safety at School
Report Reveals How Students are Feeling About Their Safety at School
Tags: insurance, schools, building, property, child safety
September 21, 2022
Top 10 Requested Forms
Top 10 Requested Forms
Tags: insurance, schools, churches, building, property