• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Can I Say "Super Bowl"?

M

MyCatKnight

I know the term was taboo in the past, but a client said he thought something changed last year. Anyone know the latest, or have any links to what to the current rules are? Thanks, as we prepare for a big promotional event to watch the Super Bowl, umm, "Big Game."
 
Just Another Idiot on the Radio said:
I know the term was taboo in the past, but a client said he thought something changed last year. Anyone know the latest, or have any links to what to the current rules are? Thanks, as we prepare for a big promotional event to watch the Super Bowl, umm, "Big Game."
Click to expand...
"A client said..." Bwahhhh-hahhhhh. Translation, he thinks he can get away with it. Nothing's changed. The NFL protects their properties and service marks. Tell your client the NFL's lawyers will come down on him like a piano dropped from the 10th floor. Use "Biggest Game of the Year". Everybody will know what you're talking about.
 
How about "Superb Ol' Event?"
 
I thought the prohibited use of the trademark "Super Bowl" applied only to commercial use. To use the trademark in commercial use required a license from the NFL.
 
We did a "Soup, or Bowl" weekend..where the winner "spun the wheel" to win either a case of Campbells Soup and a Seinfeld Season 3 DVD set with the "soup nazi" episode..OR four packs of tickets to the local Bowl-A-Drome..to bowl for the entire day of the "big game" and enjoy a "tailgate party" in the parking lot of the bowling alley..Pretty fun, and goofy enough to play with on the air.

They can't sue you for that can they?
 
I like to call it "The Bowl That Is Super". Wrote a spot several years ago where I bleeped out the word "Bowl" throughout the ad. Heard a similar concept run locally last week. Good discussion.
 
Hey Jeff ... I remember when CC did the Soup or Bowl national contesting back about 2001. Also the Super or Bowl with a Centerfold. The NFL nixed it not long after.
 
landtuna said:
I thought the prohibited use of the trademark "Super Bowl" applied only to commercial use. To use the trademark in commercial use required a license from the NFL.
Click to expand...

i know it's a week after the fact, but the answer would be yes... use of "Super Bowl" or any of the other trademarked phrases is prohibited in commercial uses (print ads, radio or TV commercials). News outlets are exempt as long as they're usage is under 'news'.

And to be allowed usage you would have to be a sponsor of the Super Bowl. I don't believe the NFL licenses usage of their trademarked phrases in commercials. But don't quote me on that as I'm not 100% sure.
 
I know of a Local Non-Profit Agency having a Fund Raiser where they are doing a Luncheon and serving Soup. They are calling it "Souper Bowl Sunday?" Are they in violation of the Trademark law, and should they be concerned?
 
i would venture to say no since it has nothing to do with football. but i'm not a lawyer so don't take my word for it. they might get a cease and desist letter, they might not.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom