Oscars Cannot Be Sold
Dec. 16 2008, Published 12:16 p.m. ET
Chances are you don't remember Mary Pickford, America's silent film sweetheart, who was once one of the biggest box office stars in the world and co-founded United Artists.
She died in 1979, and her estate included three Oscars. Her heirs have wanted to sell the statues and give the money to charity, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took them to court to prevent this from happening.
A Los Angeles jury has agreed with the Academy and barred the sale.
The Academy has always sought to preserve the integrity of the award by making sure the only people who own them were the ones who won them. If an owner wants to unload one, they can sell them back for up to ten bucks.
