Campaign Regulations Issued for 81st Academy Awards

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Regulations for marketing campaigns for the upcoming 81st Academy Awards were distributed to film companies last week by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The only significant changes from the previous year apply to eligible songs and scores

Beverly Hills, CA (October 10, 2008) — Regulations for marketing campaigns for the upcoming 81st Academy Awards were distributed to film companies last week by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The only significant changes from the previous year apply to eligible songs and scores.

For 2008, CDs of eligible scores may be distributed to voting members of the Music Branch anytime prior to the nominations announcement on Thursday, January 22, 2009. Following the announcement, the nominated scores may be distributed to all voting members of the Academy. In both cases, each music track must be titled, include the name of the composer(s) and be identical to the music used in the finished film. The CD may contain only music written by the eligible composer(s). Music written by other composers, licensed music or music that is otherwise ineligible for award consideration is not permitted.

CDs of nominated songs also may be distributed to all voting members, following the same guidelines as for nominated scores. Distribution of eligible songs prior to the nominations announcement is not permitted, though as a result of a rule change announced in June, the Academy itself will be sending DVDs containing film clips featuring the songs to Music Branch members during the nominations balloting phase. The DVDs will contain the same clips to be screened at the annual voting event at which branch members may cast their nominations ballot in person.

Neither video excerpts nor sheet music may be sent at any time.

In 2007 all audio and video recordings and sheet music were prohibited for the categories.

Campaign regulations are issued by the Academy each year to ensure fairness in the Awards competition and to remind all involved that the Academy’s decisions are based solely on the merits of the eligible films and achievements. Violations of the regulations are subject to penalty, though in recent years the level of compliance has been very high.

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