Someone at the NFL is now taking pointers from the RIAA. Grandparents and the computer illiterate have been targets of attack by the RIAA in their efforts to stop file-sharing of music. Now the NFL has decided to send out cease-and-desist letters to some churches hosting Super Bowl Parties. What in the world are these people thinking? Now granted, the NFL owns the broadcast and can decide what they want done with the program. My issue is that they are going after churches who are not in it for a profit (if they are charging it is to cover the cost of refreshments) but the sports bars who are in it for the profit are not bothered. I thought maybe that bars paid some kind of license fee for showing it, but that apparently is not the case. There are some churches that would probably pay a license fee to carry the show if it were reasonable. Many churches pay a license fee to CCLI for the ability to freely use copyrighted music in their services. But it sounds to me like there’s a double standard going on here. Maybe the bad PR from this will change someone’s mind there at the NFL. It will be seen.

On a side note, I love the title of the article on Slashdot:  Thou Shalt Not View The Super Bowl on a 56″ Screen.

Stories: ABCNews.com: NFL Sacks Church Super Bowl Parties.