As Super Bowl 2012 prepares to kick off, many around the world will watch the game through the convenience of modern technology. From mobile phones and Internet connections, sports fans will tune in to watch the New York Giants play the New England Patriots while bypassing television screens and using electronic devices. However, are those other methods of watching the Super Bowl live legal? The Internet is full of copyrighted videos and during high profile sporting events, websites spring up faster than you can say touchdown that offer to stream the event live. On February 2, 2012, Federal authorities took down more than 300 websites and seized more than $4.8 million in counterfeit materials from illegal, online vendors in a move called “Operation Fake Sweep.” Still, more sites are expected to surface today and many of these sites, links, and articles serve selfish and illegal purposes. In short, those that want to watch the Super Bowl live legally must do so through NBC Sports.com.
Sites such as UStream, Justin TV., or other sites that promise to let users watch the Super Bowl live online are providing you with an illegal feed. NBC owns the rights to streaming and broadcasting the Super Bowl. If they did not, the Super Bowl would air on every network on cable and satellite television. When you watch the Super Bowl on any other site, rather than the o ne designated by the company that has purchased the rights to air the show, you are engaging in illegal activity. Now, that does not mean that the Feds are going to come breaking down your door because you want to watch Tom Brady get his game on, but it does mean that you may be putting yourself in a vulnerable position. You see, sites that offer to stream illegal videos and related content are more than likely to engage in other illegal activity. Do not be surprised if sites that offer illegal videos, or suddenly pop up to offer you a place to watch Super Bowl 2012 live are also spamming your computer or flooding you with viruses and Trojan horses.
Additionally, sites that engage in illegal practices may have unsecured connections, and overall, you will find that the quality of watching the Super Bowl or other live games is diminished. NBC Sports has legally obtained the rights to stream the Super Bowl online. It does not cost anything to watch the Super Bowl legally through NBC Sports, and you have the added advantage of knowing that your computer will remain safe and free from viruses.
If you want to watch the Super Bowl game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, cannot wait to see the newest Super Bowl 2012 commercials, or wish to see Madonna perform during half time online then go ahead. Just make sure to visit NBC Sports/Super Bowl 2012 http://player.nbcsports.com/SNFPlayer.html?PID=74&referrer=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/ and don’t contribute to illegal, pirated streams.
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