Justice Department warns film academy to preserve Netflix's Oscar eligibility

[Zorro]

Source: LA Times

The U.S. Justice Department has warned the motion picture academy to chill when it comes to Netflix and any new Oscar eligibility rules.

Makan Delrahim, the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s antitrust division, sent a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Dawn Hudson warning that potential rule changes limiting the eligibility of Netflix movies in Oscar competition might violate antitrust law.

“In the event that the Academy — an association that includes multiple competitors in its membership — establishes certain eligibility requirements for the Oscars that eliminate competition without procompetitive justification, such conduct may raise antitrust concerns,” Delrahim wrote Hudson, in the March 21 letter first obtained by Variety.

“We’ve received a letter from the Dept. of Justice and have responded accordingly,” an academy spokesperson said in an email to The Times. “The Academy’s Board of Governors will meet on April 23 for its annual awards rules meeting, where all branches submit possible updates for consideration.”


Read more: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-justice-department-oscars-netflix-20190402-story.html

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Why should the Justice Department get in the middle of this?

[GemDigger]

1. Netflix paid them off? Only half kidding.

This is one hellava small government they are trying to create.

[hlthe2b]

2. That was my first thought...

Next step, go after the Emmy's to defend Trump's hurt feelings for never having won one for the Apprentice?

[Mr.Bill]

3. Maybe they could give him

a "Lifetime Underachievement Award".

I swear it would go right over his head unless someone explained it to him.

[riversedge]

6. ha ha. so true!!

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

4. Democracy is SAVED! whew, that was close!

[jmowreader]

5. Let me guess: Netflix is doing a film that's complimentary to Donald Trump...

...and the Tasmanian Devil wants it to get an Oscar.

[Cold War Spook]

7. But I thought made for TV movies must run in theaters to be nominated.

I know Netflix movies are not made for TV but closer to that than movies for theaters. With today's internet, I think any movie should be allowed to be nominated.

[forgotmylogin]

9. The only confusion I have...

Oscar-eligible movies are supposed to have a public theatrical release. I know some obscure ones have done the absolute minimum by putting their film in a theater for one weekend for a total of 2 screenings.

It might be argued that movies on Netflix are exclusive to subscribers and not "released" publicly.

By which I mean you can't pay to stream just an individual program on Netflix the same way you'd buy a movie ticket. You must subscribe to the entire service. I love Netflix and they do great stuff, but an Oscar for an exclusive is essentially a commercial for Netflix. Then again, I guess premium cable shows get Emmy nominations...

I am similarly sad that the Twilight Zone reboot doesn't seem like it's going to be broadcast anytime soon on TV, and only available on CBS's streaming on demand service which viewers must pay for.

[ScratchCat]

8. I guess I am confused here

The Academy is a private, invitation-only organization. Why on earth would the DOJ be sending them letters referring to "anti-trust" laws? Why would movies released on the Netflix platform have a legal right to be considered for an award handed out by a private organization who's member list isn't even public? WTF??

[onenote]

10. Netflix has begun releasing some movies in theaters

for limited periods of time before streaming then. For example, Roma was released to a few theaters in late November before being streamed a few weeks later. Roma this was eligible for Oscar consideration and in fact won three awards including best director.

[Cold War Spook]

11. I didn't know that.

Thank you.

[stillcool]

12. gotta have justice...

for Netflix?