Feel free to host a Super Bowl party this weekend, but using NFL logos like "the shield" could be... [+]
The Super Bowl has become a de facto American holiday, and millions of Americans celebrate each year by watching the action on the field, the commercials in between and their waist lines slowly expand throughout. But unlike most other national holidays, hosting a party for this one could leave you getting sued by the NFL or even your friends.
In 2007, the NFL threatened to sue churches that violated the league's trademark policies when hosting viewing parties. The most publicized event was the letter sent to the Fall Creek Baptist Church that demanded the party be cancelled because it planned to charge admission, used the words "Super Bowl" in the title and was going to show the game on a screen bigger than 55 inches.
Still wondering how fans came up with the "No Fun League" moniker?
Fortunately for churches across the country, the league has since eased its policies. The NFL will no longer go after parties that use "Super Bowl" branding or show the game on too large of a screen, but that doesn't mean the churches are entirely off the legal hook.
In a recent interview with CopyrightSolver, an NFL spokesperson made the finer points of the league's policy clear: churches must host the parties in their usual places of worship, not rented spaces, and they cannot charge admission. Furthermore, while NFL marks like "Super Bowl" and the team names can be used, any league-related logos are out of the question.
Of course those church-hosted viewing parties can often have hundreds of people show up, so inviting a dozen friends to hang out in your living room this Sunday won't likely attract the NFL's attention.
But even if the NFL gives your party a pass, there is still a real risk for lawsuits that accompanies the decision to host a party where food or alcohol is served. Party hosts are responsible for any food or drink made available to guests, even if the refreshments are delivered by an outside source. Any subsequent food poisoning or drunk driving accident could leave the party host in court.
So if you're having people over for the big game this weekend, be sure to handle food carefully or use a reputable outlet if outsourcing the night's meals. If serving alcohol, do so in a controlled manner and keep an especially close eye on anyone planning to drive home. It may also be a good idea to have a spare couch or the number for a cab service handy.
And if you've got all of that checked off with time to spare, be sure to sign the White House petition to make the Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday. At the very least, that day off would make cleaning up after your party a whole lot easier.
