We Bet You Haven’t Heard of This Strict Oscar Winner’s Rule

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, have been honoring excellence in the film industry for decades. Winning an Academy Award is a prestigious achievement in the film industry and it is also one of the most important awards that actors dream of winning at least once in their lifetime. That is why it was also so important when Leonardo Di Caprio won his first one after years of iconic movies. So, winning the awards is definitely huge. But, did you know that there is one strict ‘Oscar winners rule’ that all winners must follow after receiving their award?

What Is the Oscar Winner’s Rule?

The Academy Awards, despite their prestige, have a seemingly straightforward process: nominees are announced, a winner is declared, and they receive the coveted Oscar trophy. However, there’s a lesser-known regulation regarding what winners can do with their trophies once they have left the stage. According to the Academy Awards website, winners are prohibited from attempting to sell their Oscars unless they fulfill specific requirements.

While the Oscar statues are among the most sought-after awards globally, this rule ensures the integrity and value of the accolade remain intact. Highly successful celebrities may eventually face a situation where they have too many awards and not enough space to display them. In such cases, they might consider selling one of their trophies for financial gain or for charitable purposes, although this scenario is improbable.

What Else Does the Rule Clarify?

The Academy has a strict rule for Oscar winners: they can’t sell their trophies without offering them back to the Academy first, and they only have to pay $1 for it. This rule also applies to their family members who inherit the trophy. It’s all about keeping the Oscar’s value and prestige intact, showing respect for the honor of winning one.

Where Did the Rule Come From?

Since 1951, the Academy has enforced a rule requiring Oscar winners to offer their trophies back to the Academy for $1 before selling them. This regulation led to lawsuits, like in 2014 when Joseph Tutalo auctioned off his uncle’s Oscar without following the rules. The Academy sued and won the case, retrieving the statue. However, there have been exceptions, such as in 1999 when Michael Jackson bought an Oscar for $1.5 million from the estate of a deceased producer.

Selznick’s death in 1965 also complicated matters, creating legal uncertainty around the ownership of the Oscar, leading to it changing hands multiple times.

Do you think this Oscar winners rule is necessary?

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