Super Bowl Intellectual Property Insanity: No Big Screen Super Bowl Parties, Trademarking 19-0

from the the-big,-big-game dept

Fri, Feb 1st 2008 7:28pm — Mike Masnick

Well here are a couple stories to leave you with as we head into Super Bowl weekend. Every year it seems there's some insanity concerning the NFL somehow trying to abuse intellectual property rights above and beyond what they're designed for. Remember, the NFL thinks that it can tell reporters how to report on a game, while also forcing them to advertise for NFL sponsors. It also has been known to issue bogus DMCA notices. And, of course, don't forget that not only has the NFL bullied people into believing that you can't use the phrase "The Super Bowl" in an advertisement, after many advertisers switched to the euphemism "The Big Game" to appease the NFL, it tried to trademark "The Big Game" as well.

This year, the big news (as submitted by a lot of you), but first by Ryan, is that the New England Patriots have applied for a trademark on "19-0" to represent the undefeated season the team will have if it wins this season. The NY Post, snarky as ever, filed for a trademark on 18-1 in response, supporting the home town NY Giants. This, of course, seems rather ridiculous. What would happen in future seasons if some other team was able to go 19-0? There's also the question of hubris in declaring yourself 19-0 before that final game. On that note, you can already pre-order a book about the 19-0 season, even though it hasn't been completed yet.

That's not all, though. Last year, we had a story that got tremendous attention about the NFL stopping churches from having Super Bowl parties, if they had a TV that was bigger than 55". There was a lot of fuss about it, and you would think that, perhaps, the NFL would let it slide this year. Not so. Ethan Bauley writes in to let us know that, once again, the NFL has been going around stopping churches from holding ~~Super Bowl~~... er... ~~The Big Game~~... er... "Best Commercials Of The Year, Interrupted By Some Game" parties, for having TVs that are too big.

So, remember, as you watch the... event... this weekend, to do so on a TV smaller than 55", do not refer to it as "The Super Bowl" or "The Big Game," make sure to notice the photojournalists wearing sponsors' clothing, and certainly do not put a fair use clip on YouTube. And, perhaps, cheer on the Giants in their effort to make the 19-0 trademark question a hypothetical, rather than practical, question.

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Filed Under: 19-0, copyright, nfl, super bowl, the big game, the patriots, trademarks
Companies: nfl

94 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2008 @ 7:43pm

I knew it was only a matter of time until this we'd be hearing about this stuff again. It happens every time there's a Big Game in February...it's as regular as clockwork. In fact, I kind of wondered what took so long.
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Javarod, 1 Feb 2008 @ 7:44pm

Laughs, "One of the radio stations here in Phoenix has been taking pot shots at the NFL, they refer to the game as the Superbowl followed by 'Oops'"
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Grady, 1 Feb 2008 @ 7:58pm

I got a solution. What if the used multiple TV's of large size(say 50" or so) and just spread the image across them, like stretching your computer screen between a few monitors. Would that be considered a TV bigger than 55"? Or did I just think of a loophole???

But, regardless, the NFL is getting rather...stupid (to say the least) about this trademark and copyright crap. I would consider a group viewing, regardless of size, the game (or any show) private use, so long as they were/are not charging for it. If it isn't being charged far, I can only see it (from a logical and reasonable view) being stretched to a "promotional event," if it came to that. I'd be happy just to know churches were using the game's drawing power to attract members, but in this money driven world, eyes are set elsewhere.

The commercials are better than the game anyways.
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Emilio, 1 Feb 2008 @ 8:21pm

I hearby tradmark the phrase "Wide Right" to represent the fact that Buffalo will always be second best, reguardless of their actual performance level in any given year. The endless quest, the perpetual striving and not quite achieving that keeps us moving forward as we try and try to surpass past glory, once again giving perfect strangers reason to grin at each other with a wild look in their eyes at 4-way stop sign intersections...
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- Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2008 @ 9:00am
  
  Re:
  Sorry but "Wide Right" is held by Bobby Bowden..
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CN, 1 Feb 2008 @ 8:28pm

There's some kind of game in February?
I never knew...

Seems like a lot of fuss over it. Sounds like they don't want anyone to watch it.
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- Joseph, 2 Feb 2008 @ 6:17am
  
  Re: There's some kind of game in February?
  I wonder what they will do when youtube users post highlight clips of the score that sealed te game (and if it's 19-0) and the user puts down "Patriots: 19-0 Win Superbowl!" How many organizations will work to sue them & Youtube.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
stephen, 1 Feb 2008 @ 8:38pm

the pats are locks
I won't be watching the game because the refs have been setting the table for the Pats at least since Ravens game, probably earlier. I turned the Charger game off after Vrabel's leg whip to Rivers knee wasn't called so the interception he subsequently threw wouldn't stand.

You're probably thinking, What does this have to do with Tech or Dirt or Trademark or whatever? It comes from this: the NFL isn't just trying to control access to their product--earlier this year, for instance, they tried to limit news outlets from using more than 45 seconds worth of footage of any game, including interviews, so that people would have to go to the NFL Network or NFL.com for "total access"--they are also trying to control the storyline. When the Pats are on, as Bloomberg pointed out recently, ratings are up, and that's all that matters. Thus we no longer have a game of skill. We have Survivor, and the NFL are the producers editing the storyline into compelling shape for public consumption.

Not that the NFL's infallible--clearly the refs were trying to set the table for the Pack too to set up the QB matchup the NFL had already been touting, but Favre just wouldn't tuck in--but it's tough for a team to beat both a good team and the refs. I give the Giants zero chance.

Don't believe me? Call me a Patriot hater (I love how the fans of the most racist city in the north have adopted the patois of inner city black basketball fans)? Fine. Just watch the refs. That'll be the real game.
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- Steve, 1 Feb 2008 @ 11:10pm
  
  Re: the pats are locks
  Is this your opinion or fact?
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- Brian, 2 Feb 2008 @ 6:50am
  
  Re: the pats are locks
  Go back and watch the Colts / Patriots games and tell me who the ref's wanted to win. That was the most blatant display of one sidedness I have ever seen. The league loves the choir boy Manning and wanted that upset more than anything.
  
  The Ravens can't be blamed for calling a timeout? The Ravens lost that game.
  
  You are a Patriot's hater it is clear.
  
  Don't make ignorant comments like Boston is the most racist city in the North. Stop watching ESPN Classic all day and Barry Bonds interviews.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Brian, this is your conscience, 2 Feb 2008 @ 8:06pm
    
    Re: Re: the pats are locks
    Brian, you seem to be spending time on this website looking for an argument. All you really need to do is to find what has gon wrong with your soul, brian. Look to God (who will be unhappy that he can't watch the Super Bowl {Ya, I said it, 1st Ammendment Bitches} in a church) for the answer to your problems, don't take it out on those unlucky enough to be around you. Oh, Ya: F*** the Patriots!!!
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    - Brian, 3 Feb 2008 @ 4:39am
      
      Dear Conscience
      I'm agnostic. If there is a GOD he better not care who wins the Super Bowl. I would hope he has some bigger concerns. But you should know this your my conscience. If I had known you had this stance of a loser mentality I would have gotten rid of you years ago.
      
      Your Fired.
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- James (profile), 3 Feb 2008 @ 5:59am
  
  Re: the pats are locks
  Rollerball...anyone???
  Jonathan...Jonathan...Jonathan...
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- Bryan, 3 Feb 2008 @ 2:25pm
  
  Re: the pats are locks
  "I won't be watching the game because the refs have been setting the table for the Pats at least since Ravens game, probably earlier. I turned the Charger game off after Vrabel's leg whip to Rivers knee wasn't called so the interception he subsequently threw wouldn't stand.
  
  You're probably thinking, What does this have to do with Tech or Dirt or Trademark or whatever? It comes from this: the NFL isn't just trying to control access to their product--earlier this year, for instance, they tried to limit news outlets from using more than 45 seconds worth of footage of any game, including interviews, so that people would have to go to the NFL Network or NFL.com for "total access"--they are also trying to control the storyline. When the Pats are on, as Bloomberg pointed out recently, ratings are up, and that's all that matters. Thus we no longer have a game of skill. We have Survivor, and the NFL are the producers editing the storyline into compelling shape for public consumption.
  
  Not that the NFL's infallible--clearly the refs were trying to set the table for the Pack too to set up the QB matchup the NFL had already been touting, but Favre just wouldn't tuck in--but it's tough for a team to beat both a good team and the refs. I give the Giants zero chance.
  
  Don't believe me? Call me a Patriot hater (I love how the fans of the most racist city in the north have adopted the patois of inner city black basketball fans)? Fine. Just watch the refs. That'll be the real game."
  
  I could not agree more. First Superbowl I have ever refused to watch.
  
  The only flaw in your post was the use of the word patriots or pats. I am sure you really meant to use their real name the New England Cheaters.
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Kyle Riley, 1 Feb 2008 @ 8:46pm

Trademarking Numbers
I thought that it was determined that you can't trademark numbers - wasn't this the reason for the origin of the term "Pentium"? Intel found that they could not trademark 286, 386, 486, etc, and came up with the Pentium brand name to avoid this problem.

Or are hyphenated numbers a different story?
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- Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2008 @ 5:56pm
  
  Re: Trademarking Numbers
  It's not that you can never trademark numbers...you can trademark things like color and things that are generic if they have acquired a secondary meaning. I'm assuming that the numbers used by Intel were not associated with their source enough. You can't just trademark something ordinary because you use it...it has to mean something to consumers and would add to their confusion if someone else used it.
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my 2 cents, 1 Feb 2008 @ 9:21pm

How pwoerful is the NFL?
God calls the NFL "sir". They have more money.
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Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 1 Feb 2008 @ 10:27pm

What is...
...this Super Plate of which you speak? Is it like some kind of gigantic serving of salad? Eaten by David Beckham, perhaps?

Somebody kept whispering to me about some kind of mutation of rugby involved, but that's ridiculous--surely nobody would play with their food in that way...?
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2008 @ 11:14pm

Pats up by 2 - Giants kick field goal in last 10 seconds and STEALS THE SUPERBOWL "DoH", THE BIG GAME "DoH", That thing that is on TV Sunday with the extremly overpriced ADS. >^..^
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James Last, 1 Feb 2008 @ 11:21pm

Superbowl?
What is the superbowl?
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- James Last, 1 Feb 2008 @ 11:24pm
  
  Re: Superbowl?
  By the way, everyone else who does not know what it is, you can check it out on my 120" lcd projector.
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Bill, 1 Feb 2008 @ 11:25pm

Is it?
I think what the NFL is worried about, in the case of churches, they will shut of the TV during Half time and commercials as well as hold prayers in their place. Also, why are churches holding these parties? Do you think they may try to promote their message and maybe even solicit or accept donations at the door or during the game. They may even evangelize to get more members for their churches which in turn gets them more donations. Isn't this really the churches commercializing themselves? They are tax free corporations (entities). Sport bars and such have to pay taxes and are subject to license fees and such. They also usually have some of the advertisers products for sale.

So maybe that is one reason they are banning churches versus Sport bars and the like.

As to the usage of Super Bowl, Big Game and other such nonsense well that is the typical corporate attitude that the US courts have allowed and condone. Contact your elected officials and hound them to change the laws to stop this idiocy. Citizen activism is what will prevent this not whining here,
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- 4-80-sicks, 2 Feb 2008 @ 2:51am
  
  Re: Is it?
  why are churches holding these parties? Do you think they may try to promote their message and maybe even solicit or accept donations at the door or during the game. They may even evangelize to get more members for their churches which in turn gets them more donations. Isn't this really the churches commercializing themselves?
  Paranoid much? If I had to guess, I'd say that churches are holding Super Bowl parties because they would rather embrace modern trends than be hurt by them [causing low attendance]. "Oh, you say you're not coming to church this week because the Super Bowl's on? Well, what if you could watch it here?"
  **AA would do well to learn from churches, the oldest "business" model in the book.
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  - JBB, 2 Feb 2008 @ 3:54am
    
    Church bowls?
    Well I can't speak for everyone, not even everyone at my own church. But don't forget that Christians are people too, and there're a lot of people who enjoy the superbowl, call it what you will. As it happens, the church can seat a few more people than my house does, so where would many of the churchgoers prefer to get together?
    
    Oh, and by the way, the screen we have is only 4.5" tops. Of course, there's this bright light behind it and this lens in front of it, but that's just details.
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    - DF, 2 Feb 2008 @ 10:54am
      
      Re: Church bowls?
      One of the churches in our town presents the, "Soup-er Bowl" to raise money and solicit donations for their food pantry.
      
      For the cost of a can or two of food, you get to watch the game with a bunch of people. There's catered food donated by local businesses and a potluck from other attendees. No pressure to worship, no pressure or propaganda, just a relaxed gathering of other fans who don't want to watch the game alone.
      
      Last year the church raised enough money and got enough donations to last through mid-summer.
      
      And the TV screens were all small, but there were a lot of them, as many attendees brought them so you could drift from group to group and socialize.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Feb 2008 @ 11:57pm

Big Game in February
I always thought that the BIG game in February was when Mizzou played KU in basketball!
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Rachel, 2 Feb 2008 @ 12:25am

Conversely...
While the NFL doesn't want people referring the game by any of the official names (perhaps they'd be happy if people didn't acknowledge the game's existence at all?)...

...on the other side we have the Kentucky Derby. Oh, I'm sorry! I mean, "The Kentucky Derby sponsored by Yum! Brands," which is what you're supposed to call it now any time you refer to it. Yes, the race was officially renamed that way. But, hey, at least third parties can actually still call the race by name, even if the name is more than twice as long as it used to be!
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why the Hell not?, 2 Feb 2008 @ 1:02am

new approach
if ppl weren't so short sighted they would boycott said game 1 or two years in a row.
I mean sure lots of money would be lost while this is happening, but the following years NFL (I hope im allowed placing those 3 letters next to each other) would be begging and perhaps would end up paying for reporters and other party organizers to talk about its games and big events.
I believe in the past when actors or celebrities were complaining too much about the breach of privacy due to over zelous reporters the reporters would snub them which usually ended up by the celebrities having to issue a public apology and so one.
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- Because, 3 Feb 2008 @ 1:59pm
  
  Re: new approach
  Now tell me if your job and income depended on you working the SBowl are you going to boycott it. I don't think so. Are the fan - I don't think so. This is entertainment and makes BIG money not to just the NFL but to the advertisers, etc.
  
  I think the trademarking of 19-0 is totally stupid and trying to prevent churches and others from showing the game on tv's of any size is even more idiotic. The stadium can only hold a limited amount of people that's why we have TV's and advertisers.
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Just go away, 2 Feb 2008 @ 1:20am

Not referring to the them
How long will it be before their Orwellian (tm) methods backfire, and you can't refer to or think of them or their thing? Doubleplusgood thinking there!

Happily I don't give a crap about them or their thing, so they don't make any money from me.
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mike allen, 2 Feb 2008 @ 1:31am

superwhat
I have a SUPERBOWL of my own im eating my cerial out of it. Being in the UK il use what ever words i want to describe the SUPERBOWL as to the NFL in the USA SUPERIDIOTS.
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Pete, 2 Feb 2008 @ 1:53am

Do you want to watch great football without paying a weeks wages, watch at your local high school or college, heck that goes for most sports, the best baseball games to be seen are right down the street from you, great way to spend some quality time with your kids and the plus is it will not drain your wallet or credit card balance. I have given up on most pro sports, any more so many of the athletes come across as overpaid crybabies and it is getting really tiresome to be hearing about all the drug abuse.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2008 @ 4:16am

STUPID BOWL!!!!
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- Anonymous Coward, 3 Feb 2008 @ 2:15am
  
  Re: STUPID BOWL!!!!
  Damn right! Honestly, all these corporate trademark/patent lawyers are going to Hell. I stopped watching the Stupid Bowl years ago. I just don't care anymore: 10 seconds of play followed by 5 minutes of commercials, talking about stuff, replays, etc... Now that I have satellite TV, I don't have to tolerate it anymore; I've been watching Australian rules football for the past few years -- way more exciting. What the NFL needs is a good old-fashioned fan boycott.
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BlazingSaddles0745, 2 Feb 2008 @ 5:31am

Super Bowl...
I don't really care what they call it, it is nothing more than money in their pockets, like all professional sports are. I have never watched one of the Big Games or whatever it is, and never will. Sports is a bunch of people getting together in a vacant lot or on a farm pasture somewhere and playing a game, it is not and will never be sport to add as much money into big business pockets as is currently being done.

I have just always had better ways to spend my money, and better things to do with my time than sit in front of an idiot screen and watch pro sports. I know I am in the minority, but if more people refused to pay the prices now charged for pro games, things would change for the better.

Just my opinion. Pro sports are a waste of time, money and electricty.
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JustMatt, 2 Feb 2008 @ 6:00am

Screw 'Em
They should ignore the C&D, DMCA, etc. orders. See what happens when they try to get the local cops to bust down the door of a church, or ask a judge for a warrant. See what happens when local media outlets decide to start running segments about the problem. Said it last year, will say it again. If if wasn't so frickin' cold here I would beam the damn thing on to the side of my house and let everyone driving by watch it.
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ehrichweiss, 2 Feb 2008 @ 6:01am

I'll do one better..
I just won't watch it in the first place. This pursuit of IP madness has not only turned me off from watching most NFL games but any of their games. I'll be sure to find out who their advertisers are though so I can send an email letting them know I'll be supporting them *less* for advertising with an organization so hung up on itself.
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Doc, 2 Feb 2008 @ 6:27am

The Super Bowel
The Super Bowl has become a Super Bowel movement ... a real pain in the ass that is. Hypocrites, and bickering women dress as men, employed by the NFL. To hell with em.
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Ehren E. Turner, 2 Feb 2008 @ 7:16am

Ignore it
19-0 isn't remotely defensible as a copyright. Still, putting a (c) after it would be a good way of mocking the Patriots (not the team itself, but the management). You can file a copyright on anything, but that doesn't mean it'll stick if you have to take it to court. The law is still rational. "Super Bowl" is protectable under copyright law, but it doesn't preclude anyone from using it to refer directly to *the* Super Bowl. "The Big Game" is not copyrightable because the connection to the Super Bowl is hypothetical and conditional.

The NFL has no teeth when it comes to forcing people to watch their show on small screens. And absolutely insane. It is, in essence, boycotting TV manufacturers of large screen TVs. The NFL relies on public good will for everything. If we get pissed off, we can still watch the game. Invite them to sue us. If they dare, show up to court but make sure you invite reporters, and then suggest boycotting anything that advertises on the Super Bowl for a period of one month following the next year's game to remind these imbeciles that we live in a world based on reality.
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Hopeless Charm, 2 Feb 2008 @ 7:35am

Super Bowl
Eat it NFL !! Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl.
This is AMERICA not RUSSIA or CHINA -- We WILL NOT BE OPPRESSED by big corp interests ! Stupid asses, and just because I feel like it: Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl ....
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BOB, 2 Feb 2008 @ 9:21am

They've done such a good job of concealing the fact that there is some kind of largish game coming up that I didn't even know it was happening until a couple of days ago.
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Kevin, 2 Feb 2008 @ 9:41am

Stand UP
Someone or everyone needs to generally stand up to the NFL and let them know they can not dictate how peoples social events happen, especially churches and a big screen tv. That is another of the most retarted things I've heard a business try to dictate.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2008 @ 10:39am

when I use the word superbowl I'm referring to my toilet and how I'm taking the Browns there :)
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BK1, 2 Feb 2008 @ 11:18am

Not a fan here... Hoping for a better society.
I played football in High School and I had a good time playing the game with my buddies. But that is where my interest in the game ended. I didn't even know it was this weekend until someone asked me where I was going to watch the game at this year. The only Superbowl related advertising I have even noticed this year are the WalMart ads where the ladies are overly excited about buying chips and soda or something. Football in general and especially Pro/NFL football is so insanely dull and pointless, I am glad to see that the NFL organization is putting on such a spectacle regarding trademark. Hopefully people get irritated and disillusioned enough to not support the pro-sports system at all and invest the billions of dollars each year into something useful, like their local schools or youth recreation leagues. It reminds me so much of Roman history it isn't funny. Everyone was at the coliseum cheering for the gladiators or participating in wars of conquest, while the integrity and success of the society crumbled around them. Priorities need to be reevaluated my fellow citizens, before it is too late. Instead of watching the "Patriots" go be a real patriot and do something useful this Sunday, and ignore the big guys in spandex tights who get paid millions to run around and jump on each other for a ball shaped like a testicle. The USA will be a better place because of it.
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Sarojin, 2 Feb 2008 @ 12:05pm

As American as...
um...corporate greed!

Gob Bless the rich people!
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$2.7 million for a commercial, 2 Feb 2008 @ 12:28pm

so F U. Yeah, priorities need to be reevaluated by the citizens. That is why Spector is bitching at the NFL for destroying stupid tapes instead of worrying about Iraq.

F u, the NFL can do whatever it wants, they can't force reporters to cover their games the way they want, they can just not give them free passes anymore. Piss them off? Buy your own tickets you bunch of cheap ass moochers. You want to be all professional? Then write about the game after watching it on TV instead of expecting free tickets and access to all the parties.

Yeah, go ahead with your boycott, that will just prove how no one really cares about you or your stupid opinion.
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- Brian, 2 Feb 2008 @ 3:07pm
  
  Re:
  Spector situation amazes me. The economy is slumping, housing market is crashing, stocks falling, war in iraq, enivronmental issues, education system is failing our children.
  
  Nothing else is going on so lets waste everyones time and money on a situation which should be no ones business but the NFL.
  
  This is sickening and this ass hat should be called our for this.
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  - Um, Yeah (profile), 3 Feb 2008 @ 8:46pm
    
    Re: Brian
    Actually, Arlen Specter does have a justifiable reason for pushing for this investigation. The National Football League falls under an antitrust exemption, which allows them to operate outside of the various antitrust legislation that Congress has set in place over the last 125 years. Since the possibility exists that the NFL Commissioner condoned cheating to win the Super Bowl by destroying every piece of evidence, this antitrust exemption could, and likely should, be reviewed. Though I am not a lawyer, having knowledge of cheating that affected the outcome of the Super Bowl and destroying the evidence to preserve what amounts to history would jeopardize this exemption.
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I hate Mike, 2 Feb 2008 @ 12:33pm

This is a stupid article.
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wolfger, 2 Feb 2008 @ 1:25pm

ironic
So many people think the best way to stick it to the NFL is to help promote their stupid game. If that's your response, then they are in a no-lose situation. Ignore the game, don't talk about it, and for goodness sake watch something -anything- else on TV Sunday night.
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Assafir, 2 Feb 2008 @ 1:55pm

Well, if T-mobile can own magenta
Well, if T-mobile can own magenta...
http://www.colourlovers.com/blog/2007/11/04/beware-t-mobile-owns-the-color-magenta/
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2008 @ 2:41pm

Pro sports vs. Amateur sports
I love sports, yet I despise the big sports leagues. I hate them for several reasons. One is their utterly absurd views of intellectual property...the NFL is doing this crap again, and the MLB (erroneously) thinks they can actually own facts. Cheating, lying and steroids are rife throughout the major sports leagues. Major sports leagues are driven primarily by selfishness, egotism, and greed. Big league atheletes are crybabies that whine and complain that 10 million dollars to chase a ball around isn't enough, yet a fireman, cop or American soldier that risks his life every day so said crybaby can be safe can barely even make ends meet.

Do what I do...watch amateur sports instead. For one, amateur athletes play not to become richer than Namibia, not for a shoe deal, not for a throwaway supermodel girlfriend, but simply for love of the game. You won't have to spend an arm and a leg to watch amateur sports. Amateur athletes aren't some whiny primaddonas that think they're more important than God. I have paid absolutely no attention to professional sports in years, and I haven't missed it one bit.
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Paul, 2 Feb 2008 @ 4:13pm

Only in America
USA - the land of the

Greedy
Lawyers
Idiot regulators that allow/encourage
RIAA
etc.

I am sooooo glad I don't live there.
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- my 2 cents, 2 Feb 2008 @ 5:02pm
  
  Re: Only in America
  Sad but true. Only I live here and would rather not live anywhere else, I have traveled the world.
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- Mary, 2 Feb 2008 @ 5:53pm
  
  Re: Only in America
  Wow. Hey dumbass...it's not the lawyers it's the people who hire them.
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The Scribbler, 2 Feb 2008 @ 4:15pm

What if...
...the final score is 19-0?
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John, 2 Feb 2008 @ 5:10pm

Copyright cheating
Maybe the pats should copyright cheating and destroying evidence since they do that so well
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Trvth Jvstice, 2 Feb 2008 @ 6:20pm

Silly, almost impossible to enforce
I know 100% I will be watching the game with a crowd of friend on a big screen, as does thousands of others. The NFL would make more money if they were to sell special NFL hot wings, beer and nachos at this time of the year.
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Jiggily, 2 Feb 2008 @ 6:40pm

Real Reason
I doubt many people actually read down this far, but one possible reason they don't want churches to show the game on big screens is because more people will go there to watch the game then stay home to watch. This means there will be less cable boxes tuned to the game. This means less rating numbers for the game.
Its all about the money.

Myself, I'll be online playing games, instead of watch the Lamer Bowl.
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TX CHL Instructor (profile), 2 Feb 2008 @ 7:08pm

Sunday drive...
This Sunday will be a good day to do my weekly shopping, with many fewer idiots on the road and in the stores.
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thetis (profile), 2 Feb 2008 @ 8:16pm

@Ignore It
Learn the difference between copyright and trademark. Two very different things.
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Cmeeks, 2 Feb 2008 @ 8:39pm

Too many lawyers
Once again too many lawyers allowed to be out of their cage and in contact with society. I have just filed for trade mark on "Lawyer", Common law, "Intellectual property" Copyright infringement, cease and desist, "Gag order", "class action", Lawsuit" and "frappuccino". So I leave the rest of you too now report about the NFL threatening churches with legal action if they show the "Event" on a "Big screen", remember not to infringe my trademarked properties. Now that I have saved the world from senseless lawsuits I will go have a frothy burnt sweet coffee beverage.
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Paul`, 2 Feb 2008 @ 9:19pm

So they don't want people to see adds,,,
So... they have this stupid blood sport which they're lucky anyone finds interesting in my opinion, they get probably billions in ad revenue, yet they discourage large gatherings of people watching their ad laden telecast?

Makes perfect business sense.
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Allison, 2 Feb 2008 @ 10:12pm

F---k You NFL
What a bunch of greedy bastards. I wonder what this story looks like when read through the eyes of someone in another part of the world. It seems very arrogant and petty. Instead of going after church groups year after year, as you always do, NFL, why not put the energies and talents of your legal goons to work doing something positive for a change.

Have the laborers of China print up a million throwaway cardboard hats, and partner with these church groups who want to get together as a group to watch your stupid football game, buy a $1 cheap hat for the Superbowl, and half the money goes to feed the starving babies of the Sudan. That way, you arrogant bastards can still track the number of Superbowl viewers for your precious Nielsen ratings.

After the game, the beancounters can ask: how many stupid hats did we sell today? It would work, if you would get your head out of your respective asses long enough to consider doing something positive for humanity instead of being dick heads.
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Country Boy ?, 3 Feb 2008 @ 5:05am

Greedy NFL Asshats
Soon the NFL will be trying to force us to pay for every minute we watch a game.
All lawyers should trip over their own feet, while never catching the ambulance.
The biggest asshole in all the countries of this world is my son, who got two Super Bowl tickets for nothing, and didn't ask his dad to go.
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Rhgn, 3 Feb 2008 @ 7:48am

Superbowl Intellectual Insanity
All we need to do is simply add a single letter to term to avoid infringing on NFL. From here on "The Game" will be referred to as the Superbowel.
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Anonymous(c) Coward(c), 3 Feb 2008 @ 8:49am

Fine(c) Print(c)
They(c) don't(c) want(c) you(c) to(c) view(c) with(c) a(c) big(c) screen(c) TV(c) because(c) if(c) you(c) did(c) you'd(c) be(c) able(c) to(c) read(c) all(c) the(c) fine(c) print(c) in(c) the(c) commercials(c)...

...barely(c).

(c) 2008(c) -(c) Forever(c) .(c)
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Big Game fan, 3 Feb 2008 @ 9:34am

19-0 trademarked?
So if another team goes 19-0 next year are they going to have to say "We went 18+1-0"?

Also, does a trademark on "19-0" cover "19 and 0", "19 and zero", "19 wins, no losses", etc?

Although I'm a Giants fan I was kind of hoping they did it just so I could see it. Now I hope they don't.
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I'll watch anyway (for the comercials), 3 Feb 2008 @ 10:27am

Appease the NFL
OK, how about if everybody in my church signs a pledge to leave all the TV's at home on and tuned to the significant Sunday afternoon comercial sports event before heading out to church to watch the game so as not to impact the ratings. It's only a few megawatts of wasted energy.
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Iron Chef, 3 Feb 2008 @ 10:27am

Thoughts on definition of "public performance"...
The law that defines "Public Performance" is USC 17.110(5)(B)(i)(II) and dates back to 1975, and specifically qualifies "public performance" as being viewed on a television size of 55 inches or larger.

Again, the law is somewhat archaic- being written in 1975 when the cost of a 56" television was simply outside of the grasp of the general public.

Now that barriers to entry have come down, I would imagine it would be in the public's best interest to revisit USC 17.110(5)(B)(i)(II).

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/110.html
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- Astrid, 3 Feb 2008 @ 2:53pm
  
  Re: Thoughts on definition of
  The law that defines "Public Performance" is USC 17.110(5)(B)(i)(II) and dates back to 1975, and specifically qualifies "public performance" as being viewed on a television size of 55 inches or larger.
  Again, the law is somewhat archaic- being written in 1975 when the cost of a 56" television was simply outside of the grasp of the general public.
  
  Now that barriers to entry have come down, I would imagine it would be in the public's best interest to revisit USC 17.110(5)(B)(i)(II).
  
  This is actually the most logical argument/explanation that I've heard so far. Yes, it is past time for the law to be amended to reflect the fact that 55 inch + TVs are now widely available.
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Nick (profile), 3 Feb 2008 @ 12:47pm

I just saw a report on how retailers like Walmart are discounting everything for the stupidbowl, including TVs to entice people to buy new HDTVs for the game. I wonder when the NFL is going to as the TV manufacturers for their cut.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Feb 2008 @ 1:48pm

the NFL can suck my cock.
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Stute, 3 Feb 2008 @ 3:12pm

The super what now?
I'll be watching "The Fantastic Saucer".
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- Ehren E. Turner, 3 Feb 2008 @ 9:03pm
  
  Re: The super what now?
  Now that's funny. Serves the Pats right that they lost- even though I was rooting for them. The Giants earned their victory.
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jim e, 3 Feb 2008 @ 3:48pm

NFL? screw em......
They can go fornicate a roadkilled possum for I care......
if enough folks quit watchin' 'em, quit buyin' their cheaply made crap clothin', etc., maybe they'll get a grip on reality.......
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Stupor Bowl, 3 Feb 2008 @ 4:32pm

Okay, I will rename it
Stupor Bowl
Stupid Bowl
Shithole Bowl

Come on, join in, it's more fun than watching that game and giving the NFL even more money.
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(N)ice, you (F)reaking (L)osers..., 3 Feb 2008 @ 5:16pm

This foolishness is one of many reason I don't even bother watching the "big" game anymore...
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spylock, 3 Feb 2008 @ 6:46pm

Toilet Bowl
If I was preacher Id do it anyway,they cant eat you.
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Mike (profile), 3 Feb 2008 @ 7:47pm

well, there goes that plan
I am now all for the NY Post getting its trademark.
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- Iron Chef, 3 Feb 2008 @ 9:15pm
  
  Re: well, there goes that plan
  Thought you were better than that, man..
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ScaredOfTheMan, 3 Feb 2008 @ 7:58pm

Yes but did they?
I wonder if they Trademarked 18-1 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Silly Patriots, Superbowl's are for Giants!

Here is another two number for you to think about trademarking....17-14
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inc, 3 Feb 2008 @ 8:53pm

18-1
bet they wish they did... :) nice
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Iron Chef, 3 Feb 2008 @ 9:25pm

Holy cow.. I was being sarcastic.. Man.. I just called my co-workers at AT&T Mobility in New York...

You all are freaks
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ESD, 4 Feb 2008 @ 1:17am

Did I miss the Superbowl
I must have missed the Superbowl. I was too busy listening to the Ron & Fez Board Battle.
Ron & Fex noon - 3pm XM Radio 202
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Overcast, 4 Feb 2008 @ 5:57am

Wasn't sure - must have missed it. I was afraid I might violate some copyright law by watching the super bowl, so I skipped it.
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Anonymous Coward, 4 Feb 2008 @ 6:19am

Those of you that were posting during the game? Ha. I laugh at you. The world laughs at you (well, anyone that actually matters, that is.)
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F*** the NFL, 4 Feb 2008 @ 6:32am

SUPER BOWL, BIG GAME, 19-0 and 18-1
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jhunter, 4 Feb 2008 @ 6:56am

close call
I didn't read this until today. Luckily my TV is only 50" so I won't get in trouble for watching it with the 10 other people that were at my house last night.
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Baffled, 4 Feb 2008 @ 7:11am

What does this have to do with Tech? I guess I need to reconsider what I put on my google home page.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Feb 2008 @ 8:04pm

18-1 Tshirts at Bustedtees
It has nothing to do with tech, but still, I couldn't help it.

This shirt preserves the memory of the thousands of "Patriots World Champion" t-shirts that were destroyed shortly after Super Bowl 42 ended.

http://www.bustedtees.com/shirt/18-1/male
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Overcast, 6 Feb 2008 @ 6:11am

NFL 2 - Fans 0
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Overcast, 6 Feb 2008 @ 6:21am

Actually, it has a lot to do with tech. New technologies.. computers, DVD recorders and very large TV's are common...

With the ease of copying media and such, everyone's like some big whiny baby on their 'rights'. Which - *real* people haven't really been doing anything different.. I had a lot more music on copied cassette tape than I do MP3.. lol

But the big corporations have a different perception now than they used to with the ease of copying audio and video.
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PhilCamp, 8 Feb 2008 @ 1:26pm

The NFL Wants 1 thing...MONEY
Has the NFL been so blinded by greed that they can't see when they're needlessly hurting their fans. These parties are great for building community and appreciation for the game. The NFL should be praising these parties but instead lining the pockets of the billionaire owners rides shotgun, while the fan gets stuffed in the trunk.
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