Los Angeles - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which organizes the Academy Awards, last week filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the owner of the website Oscarwatch.com, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Launched in 1999, the site features movie reviews and industry news, and includes editor Sasha Stone's annual Oscar picks.

AMPAS sent Oscarwatch.com a cease and desist letter in February, and said in March it would back down if the site changed its domain name and limited its use of the name Oscarwatch -- an offer the site reportedly rejected.

AMPAS attorney David Quinto told THR the organization is seeking an injunction plus monetary damages, although, "the Academy's interest here is putting a stop to the offensive conduct and not in trying to make a buck."

"I am not trying to exploit the Academy's trademark to offer competing goods and services," Oscarwatch.com's Stone told THR.

"Rather, I am offering commentary that directly addresses the Oscars awards, a topic of great interest to the general public, thanks largely to the efforts of the Academy itself. I believe that the use of (Oscarwatch) to describe commentary about the Oscars is that of fair use."

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/3xeplt (Hollywood Reporter)

http://www.oscars.org

http://www.oscarwatch.com