Olivia Colman accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for 'The Favourite' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has received a letter from the Department of Justice suggesting the organization could be violating antitrust law if it attempts to exclude Netflix from the Oscars.

The letter, first published by the entertainment magazine and website Variety, warns Academy CEO Dawn Hudson that changes to Oscar eligibility rules could "suppress competition."

Netflix's production "Roma" won three Oscars at this year's Academy Awards but multiple Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg — who is also a member of the Academy's board of governors — is an outspoken critic of Netflix's inclusion in the glitzy ceremony.

Spielberg has said Netflix films should be considered as made for TV productions and thus should be included in the annual Emmy Awards for the television industry. He is reportedly pushing others on the Academy's board to help force an eligibility change.