$11,400 STILL CAN'T GET YOU INTO OSCARS.Byline: Erik N. Nelson Staff Writer In the latest example of its zealous protection of its trademark franchise and all things Hollywood, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday blocked the sale of an Oscars ticket package, which received bids as high as $11,400 on the online auction site eBay. The unnamed holder of the ticket had received dozens of bids for the package, which included a $5,000 Rodeo Drive Rodeo Drive (IPA: /roʊˈdeɪoʊ/) generally refers to a famous three-block long stretch of boutiques and shops in Beverly Hills, California, United States, although the street stretches further north and south. outfitting spree, a stay at the Beverly Hilton and admission to the March 25 Academy Awards ceremony, Hollywood's biggest night. On Friday, the sponsor of the auction said he was cooperating with the academy and agreed to stop selling the ticket package. ``At this point we are fully cooperating with them,'' said Lucien Lallouz, vice president of marketing for Taketoauction.com, a Florida-based online auction investment firm. The ticket package, which was abruptly removed from the eBay site Friday after the academy threatened to file suit against the sale, represents a growing fascination with all things Hollywood and the academy's determination to protect its lucrative franchise from greedy profit-seekers. ``The academy has worked tirelessly tire·less adj. Not yielding to fatigue; untiring or indefatigable. tire  less·ly adv. and successfully to prevent the
sale of Academy Awards tickets,'' said David Quinto, a Los
Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. lawyer who represents the academy.
During the past decade, the academy has won scores of court orders preventing ticket brokers in Los Angeles, Chicago and London from reselling tickets, and even obtained an injunction against a hotel where the concierge was obtaining tickets for big tippers. Part of the crackdown crack·down n. An act or example of forceful regulation, repression, or restraint: a crackdown on crime. Noun 1. stems from concern for the safety of Hollywood's biggest movers and shakers Shakers, popular name for members of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, also called the Millennial Church. Members of the movement, who received their name from the trembling produced by religious emotion, were also known as Alethians. , who annually flock to the world's most-watched entertainment event. The FBI is investigating a plot to kidnap ``Gladiator'' star Russell Crowe, who is nominated for Best Actor. In January, agents escorted Crowe to the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. . The Oscars show ``is a potential target for a terrorist, potential stalker or somebody who simply wanted a forum,'' Quinto said. But that hasn't stopped fans from selling - and buying - Oscar memorabilia. On Friday, two Oscars ``seat-filler'' tickets were put up for bid at $20,000 on eBay, Quinto said. The only problem is, such tickets don't exist. There are people who fill empty seats during the televised event but they don't need tickets. Rather, they are employees of the academy; PricewaterhouseCoopers, which officiates the contest; and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, the Los Angeles law firm where Quinto works. The sale was withdrawn shortly after it began. There were no bids on that offer. But there was a legitimate ticket for sale earlier in the week. The offer was made possible by an academy member who was willing to take the winning bidder along as a guest. But eBay withdrew the offer after the academy applied for a temporary restraining order temporary restraining order: see injunction. seeking to stop the sale and impound impound v. 1) to collect funds, in addition to installment payments, from a person who owes a debt secured by property, and place them in a special account to pay property taxes and insurance when due. any proceeds from it. The academy identified the member with the help of the auction company. Quinto said no action would be taken against the person, but he would receive a ``gentle reminder'' of academy rules. In the past, the academy has ejected members who have illegally sold or given away tickets. The 1960s and 1970s B-movie actor Michael Dante was booted boot·ed adj. Wearing boots. Adj. 1. booted - wearing boots shod, shodden, shoed - wearing footgear after his tickets were given away as a New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of radio station promotion. Lallouz had only one regret - that the auction couldn't proceed. ``I'm disappointed, because it was a beautiful experience, it was a very elegant experience, but the security risk outweighs the disappointment.'' |
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