A spokeswoman for the International Documentary Association declined to comment on the proposed Academy rule.

The Academy rules are mandatory in government organisations and in state schools in Romania.

She read aloud: "Academy rules now permit members to opt for retired status at any point they choose.

Academy rules specify that 75 percent of a film must use animated effects for it to qualify for the animation category.

Academy rules require films to have been released publicly to a paying audience in their own countries between Nov. 1, 1989, and Oct. 31, 1990.

Academy rules state that a short film can run no longer than 40 minutes.

According to Academy rules, a song should be "original and specifically written for a motion picture.

Academy rules at that time considered such a close margin to be a tie, so both March and Beery received the award.

Under current Academy rules, however, dual awards are given only for exact ties.

Academy rules have since been changed to limit each film to two nominations in this category.