Fit for a Bar but not a Church

As reported on a fellow blog: "Specter Introduces Bill Concerning Copyright Exception for Nonprofit Churches and Other Religious Organizations to Show Super Bowl Game."

On February 4, 2008, Senator Arlen Specter introduced a bill to exempt churches and other religious organizations from copyright laws that currently prevent religious entities from showing football games on big screen TVs. Senator Specter's statement in support of the new legislation points out the significant need for this bill:

Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation which would modify the limitations on churches showing the Super Bowl under the NFL copyright franchise. Churches across the country were notified by the NFL not to show the Super Bowl on a big screen because it infringed their copyright. There is an exception under the copyright laws for bars. It is anomalous that you can go to a bar and see the Super Bowl, but you cannot go to a church for a social gathering and do the same. This legislation will correct that.

At first, I thought this was a joke, but the bill is Senate Bill No. 2591, introduced in the 110th Congress.

It's good to know that what's important is getting priority in DC!

A bit of humor for you.