NFL v. McBee & Bruno's, Inc.
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
792 F.2d 726 (1986)
NFL broadcast contracts blacked out local television coverage of home games that had not sold out within 72 hours, aiming to boost ticket sales and broadcast atmosphere. In 1984, several bars, restaurants, and individuals, including McBee & Bruno's (defendant), used satellite dishes or high antennas to intercept a blacked-out St. Louis Cardinals game signal and displayed it to customers, prompting the NFL (plaintiff) to sue for an injunction; the district court granted it, and the establishments appealed.
Whether satellite dish reception of a blacked-out broadcast falls within the Copyright Act's exemption for public reception of a transmission using a receiving apparatus commonly used in private homes.