Courtesy San Diego Union Tribune

(October 6, 2010) Even after sending warning letters to approximately 90 San Diego-area restaurants and bars last week, the NFL believes some establishments illegally showed the blacked-out telecast of Sunday’s Chargers-Cardinals game.

“We did receive reports” the game was on in certain places, said NFL spokesman Dan Masonson, declining to state how many reports. “We will review (the) reports.”
Document
Download: NFL copyright letter

Masonson said the letter sent by the NFL was a “reminder” about unauthorized use of NFL copyrights under the U.S. Copyright Act.

The letter states that the NFL recently became aware “many establishments are considering showing to their patrons, unauthorized Internet streams or unauthorized intercepted feeds of NFL Sunday Ticket featuring the Chargers Game Telecast. This unauthorized public performance of copyrighted Game Telecasts constitutes infringement under the Copyright Act and is a clear violation of the NFL’s rights.”

According to the letter, the “Copyright Act authorizes the award of damages of up to $150,000 for each Game Telecast infringed, plus temporary and permanent injunctive relief, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.”

Eight similar letters were sent last week to Tampa-area bars that showed live video feeds of a blacked-out Buccaneers game Sept. 26.

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