New rules issued to police Oscar film nominees

The Academy Awards issued Oscar season marketing rules today and the organization's tougher attitude toward the process is reflected even in the name of the document.

They aren't "guidelines" anymore, now they're "regulations."

And new paragraphs in the preamble to the regulations makes it clear that the Academy isn't fooling around.

"Any Academy member," paragraph two says, "who has authorised, approved or executed a campaign activity that is determined by the Board of Governors to have undermined the letter or spirit of these regulations will be subject to suspension of membership or expulsion from the Academy."

Paragraph three makes it clear that "more serious violations could result in a film losing its eligibility for Awards consideration."

"There will now be personal consequences to improper campaigning," Academy President Frank Pierson said.

The subtraction of tickets as a penalty remains an option, but it will no longer be the only one applied.

"Penalties will be assessed at the discretion of the Board of Governors and in response to the seriousness of the violation," the regulations now state.

"We don't know yet what the mechanics of censure will be," Pierson said, "but, believe me, they'll be in place."

That prohibition states that "any form of advertising that includes quotes or comments by Academy members is prohibited."

(GMcG)