Here’s a follow up to Mikey’s post earlier this week about the NFL shutting down church Super Bowl parties:
After a fair amount of bad press, the NFL has decided that it’s OK after all for churches to show the game, as long as:
- They don’t charge admission, and
- They “show the game on a television of the type commonly used at home.”
Of course, this comes too late for the churches in Indianapolis who have already canceled their parties. On the other hand, I’m glad the NFL clarified their position, which will free up churches to continue with their Super Bowl traditions in the years to come.
Of course, regardless of which side of the church-super-bowl-party camp you fall into, I think this whole situation raises a larger question: How many churches know—or more importantly, care—about the copyright laws that govern these sorts of things? Had the NFL not reversed it’s position, would that have stopped your church from showing the big game today?
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February 5, 2007 at 10:59
I wanted to chime in about the copyright issue – for years our church has paid for the right to use various music, sheet music for the choir and I beleive for the stuff in our hymnals as well.
Just this year, we paid a fee that allows us to show videos to large groups within our church.
I think most folks who are in charge of copy righted material use, are largely unaware that it needs to be paid for (like a licensing fee). I know I was.
I think we should care – it would be a shame to find that church bodies didn’t, because using copyrighted material without proper permissions is stealing.
Just my quick two cents.
February 5, 2007 at 14:46
Does anyone know where to get a copy of that law? I would be curious to see what else is stated in there.
February 5, 2007 at 14:56
Albert: Wikipedia’s article on copyright would be a good place to start. A related article is Fair Use.
February 5, 2007 at 14:59
Just this year, we paid a fee that allows us to show videos to large groups within our church.
Do you know what sort of license that is, Kris? I’m sure other TC readers would be interested in knowing. (I know I am!)
February 5, 2007 at 15:28
I remember some time ago my parents were in charge of the Wed. night children’s program at our fairly decent sized church (regular Sunday attendance around 300-350 people). My parents were pretty well knowledgeable of the copyright laws and tried to make the teachers obey them. Sadly, most did not. One specific individual continually violated copyright laws despite my parents insistence she do so. They even went so far as talking to higher powers about the issue…they didn’t seem to care.
In another church, they were publicly displaying sheet music on the over head during services. Again, approached the church about the laws (at least at the time) that stated you needed to pay a fee to reproduce copyrighted materials…they didn’t care.
I think it is really a tragedy that some churches simply don’t care about violating someone else’s rights. They created the materials and under our rule of law we’re required to respect those rights.
These laws are not altogether unreasonable or anti-biblical. If I recall, in such situations, we are urged by our Lord and the Apostles to respect such laws.
It really shows the church in a unfavorable light when we start intentionally breaking the law…
February 5, 2007 at 15:44
@Brian… Thanks!
@General…
Yikes! Does anyone have a filter? I think I will spend some time later reading through all of that. Maybe I can find something specific to the issue.
February 5, 2007 at 16:08
What is the difference between a sports bar showing the super bowl and a church? (Other than the obvious.)
Both have food. Both have beverages. Both have large screens. And I have been to both.
Even though I didn’t pay a cover charge to enter the sports bar, there was a price for the food and drinks.
I was at a church for Super Bowl 39, Thank God. We turned off the TV during halftime for our own choice of entertainment when the Jackson exposure incident happened. We all brought food and drinks to share.
Had a much better time at the church.
February 7, 2007 at 23:39
Using music in church: http://www.ccli.com
Using video clips in church: http://www.cvli.org/
With the enormous pirating culture we have, I believe the Church should and needs to set an example rather than be the culprit.
February 8, 2007 at 21:59
Bars pay annual fees to the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. based on how many people can fit and how many TVs they have.