In order to ensure fair competition throughout the European Union, the European law allows advertising breaks be inserted into film showings once every 45 minutes, if the programme in question is longer than 45 minutes. An additional break is allowed if the programme exceeds by at least 20 minutes one or more 45-minute periods. In 1999, the European Court of Justice ruled that the governments of European Union member states have the right to limit, up to a point, the amount of advertising during television film shows.