NFL the real loser at the Super Bowl

The Chicago Bears took at beating at last night's Super Bowl, but the real loser was the NFL.  Churches across the nation canceled Super Bowl parties when the NFL informed an Indianapolis church that showing the game on a big screen was a violation of copyright laws.  The Indianapolis Star's report of the story has draw more than 450 comments, 90% of which ridiculed the NFL.  The NFL contended that copyright laws restrict showing broadcast media on screens larger that 55 inches. 

I'm glad that they didn't find out about the party Julie & I attended.  We watched the game on a friend's 60' wide-screen TV.  And while I am only speculating, I suspect that across the nation in sports bars, Best Buys & the like, the game could be seen on screens much larger than 55".  Why the NFL would choose to shut down church sponsored parties while ignoring all the other violations is a mystery.  It is this inconsistency that will cause them the most trouble in the future.  What's the difference between going to an ESPN Sports Zone and watching the game on a wall-sized TV and going to a church? 

There was a time when a 55" TV was a very large screen, but not anymore.  Copyright laws need to be updated to reflect new technologies.  If lawmakers take up the cause, as I think they should, the NFL will soon discover they opened a Pandora's box and their little victory this year will turn into a major loss.