The NFL is notorious for vigorously protecting each of its many trademarks, none more so than the [REDACTED]. The league goes out of its way to prevent any unsanctioned or unpaid use of the term, but critics feel this year it has gone too far when the league prevented a Chicago man from using the name of the game while discussing his Sunday evening plans with his friends.

"I was on the phone with my buddy Dauber trying to figure out where we’re going to watch the [REDACTED] Sunday night and some guy in a suit comes knocking on my door," said Jonathan Blick, a 28-year-old accountant. "He hands me a 48-page cease-and-desist letter and says future use of the term [REDACTED] will result in legal action."

The cease-and-desist letter also contained a list of terms Blick could use instead of [REDACTED], and recommended he call Sunday's game "a contest played Feb. 7, 2010, to decide the champion of the 2009-2010 American professional football season."

The lawyer also strongly recommended Blick only watch pregame coverage on the NFL Network, but said if he had to watch another network, he should make it CBS "if he knows what's good for him."

Blick has hired local lawyer Sal Feldstein to review the paperwork, which Feldstein described as "100 percent airtight."

"These suits at the NFL have thought of everything," said Feldstein. "Not only can my client not mention the [REDACTED], but he also can't discuss concussions, steroids, and gambling, unless it involves fantasy football and is played solely through NFL.com."

By Brad Zibung, founder and editor in chief