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How many of you are going to break the law this sunday?

Will your big-screen Super Bowl party violate copyright law?

An offhand comment the other day by a friend caught my attention—"Did you know that you can't watch the Super Bowl on a TV screen larger than 55 inches? Yeah, it's right there in the law."

Actual copyright law in question:
http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#110

Article
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...en-super-bowl-party-violate-copyright-law.ars

§ 110. Limitations on exclusive rights: Exemption of certain performances and displays43

....

(II) if the performance or display is by audiovisual means, any visual portion of the performance or display is communicated by means of a total of not more than 4 audiovisual devices, of which not more than 1 audiovisual device is located in any 1 room, and no such audiovisual device has a diagonal screen size greater than 55 inches, and any audio portion of the performance or display is communicated by means of a total of not more than 6 loudspeakers, of which not more than 4 loudspeakers are located in any 1 room or adjoining outdoor space;
 

cptcorn

adad
Annnnd if you read the article and law... It pretty much sums up the fact of you charging people to watch the game... illegal... or displaying in 55+ inches to the public...

So in your private home, you can watch 55+" Superbowl, and still have friends over... as long as you're not charging them.

So my answer to your thread question is... Probably no one.
 

Fred Weiss

Merchant Member
People with big televisions are compensating for inadequacies in other areas.

blueboy.gif
I don't understand. Could you be more specific?
 

Slamdunkpro

New Member
That only applies to bars or other public gathering places. Smaller that 55", and less than 4 screens is within the scope of your broadcast/cable agreement allowance. If you go over you have buy a "performance license" which is based on the square footage and capacity of your establishment.
(former bar owner)
 

Gino

Premium Subscriber
Law ??


When did anyone ever start worrying about doing anything by the letter of the law ??



I'll be listening to it on my 9-volt transistor radio.
 

binki

New Member
What, the NFL thinks it's Micro$oft of Gooooogle? We charge for the party at our house to cover the cost of all the beer:beer:beer:beer:beer:beer:beer:beer:beer
 
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