Professor Aoki Comments on Super Bowl Parties and Copyright Law for KCRA-3
Professor Keith Aoki commented for KCRA-3 for a story about legal issues surrounding Super Bowl parties.
Professor Aoki discussed a section of the copyright statute that specifically addresses the legality of broadcasts on television screens greater than 55 inches. "My reading of the statute is that you can have a 55-plus inch television screen and invite friends over to watch the Super Bowl, as long as you're not charging admission and you don't transmit it further to the public," said Aoki.
The NFL created controversy in 2007 when it threatened to sue Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis for hosting a Super Bowl party. The church had planned to show the Super Bowl on a giant projector screen and charge admission to cover the cost of refreshments. The NFL's actions were met by a storm of unfavorable press.
"I'd say, after that, the NFL realizes it's not good public relations to go around suing churches," said Aoki.
Keith Aoki is a professor of law at UC Davis. He publishes and teaches in the areas of intellectual property, globalization, critical race theory, and local government law. He was recently honored with election to the prestigious American Law Institute.