When you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, chances are you aren’t thinking about any legal repercussions. The truth? Just by hosting a viewing party, you could be at risk for violating trademark and copyright laws, and even be held liable if a guest of yours gets pulled over for a DUI. Here are five things you should keep in mind if you’re hosting a party to watch The Big Game this weekend.
- Be careful how you advertise. The NFL is a stickler when it comes to how hosts advertise their Super Bowl parties. For starters, if you own a bar, pub, restaurant or event space, don’t advertise a “Super Bowl viewing party.” The NFL has some trademark and copyright laws in place that prohibit unaffiliated partners from advertising “Super Bowl” parties. The right to do so rests with NFL-approved partners.
- Check your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you don’t have liability insurance as a homeowner, you could be in trouble if an accident occurs at your home. Check your policy before hosting a get-together to put your mind at ease, and to erase any liability from your hands.
- Keep the guest list small. If an accident does happen, chances are your friends are less likely to press charges or sue than an acquaintance or someone you just met. Even if you think it’s unlikely that an accident will happen, keeping the guest list to close friends and family protects you that much more.
- Offer non-alcoholic beverages. If you are drinking at a bar and get arrested for a DUI, the establishment you were served may be responsible for over-serving you. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party and a guest is pulled over for a DUI leaving your party, that responsibility could fall on you. Try your best to keep an eye on how much alcohol your guests are consuming and offer also non-alcoholic beverages as an option for your friends and family.
- Don’t charge admission. Remember how we said the NFL is very particular about copyright and trademark infringement? That also applies to the actual Super Bowl telecast. If you host a party and charge admission, you could face legal trouble. The only work-around? Churches are allowed to host a viewing party at their usual location (no renting out event spaces), and are also permitted to take up a collection in order to off-set the cost of hosting the event.
The Super Bowl is a great excuse to have a great time with your friends and family – just make sure you know what’s allowed, and what’s considered breaking the law.