Law
Commercial landowners in Britain almost always hand over to public museums archaeological discoveries made on their land, despite no legal obligation for them to do so. Their munificence has led to a chronic shortage of storage space.
This virtuous circle
Swiss say philanthropist collector is senile and have blocked his foundations, art and money
Legal battle over Dr Gustav Rau’s paintings, which he wants to give to Unicef, and which are on loan to Paris
Decisive times for underwater archaeology: Who owns the watery past?
There are an estimated three million undiscovered shipwrecks scattered throughout the world’s oceans. UNESCO is calling for a global treaty to protect them. Salvors say it is unrealistic and unworkable.
Thai government evaluates Cambodia transshipment trade to crack down on looting and smuggling of treasures
Import restrictions are imposed on Khmer kingdoms artefacts
Authenticity and connoisseurship: How do we know it's real?
With a Calder, the judge overruled the expert; with a Schiele, the judge decided deceit was the clincher, and with a Braque, the judge upheld Christie’s right to fear liability
How the British Museum's maintenance procedures for the Parthenon marbles have changed
After the sculptures' surfaces were damaged in the 1930s due to improper care, the museum has cleaned up its act
MoMA reached settlement agreement with Malevich heirs
The works in question were smuggled out of Germany during the Nazi regime for safe-keeping
US court returns Steinhardt antiquity to Italy but fails to settle key restitution question
The penalty of lying to customs
Museum of Epinal stakes claim to London dealer's Vuillards
"Nude in the studio" and "Bouquet of flowers" were commandeered by French court officials at the Maastricht fair
Letters to the Editor: “Alberto Giacometti did not use Redoutey’s foundry”
The director of the Giacometti Association, Mary Lisa Palmer, corrects our coverage of the Giacometti plaster models and demystifies the forthcoming Giacometti Foundation
Judge orders smashing of Giacometti plaster models
Founder of unauthorised casts sentenced to ten years
Michael Steinhardt is refusing the Italian State’s claim for the return of a fifth-century phiale
The US collector challenges Italy’s law
Congress can enforce “decency” when making arts grants, US Supreme Court rules
"Avant-gardeartistes remain entirely free to épater les bourgeois," wrote Justice Antonin Scalia, "they are merely deprived of the additional satisfaction of having the bourgeoisie taxed to pay for it"
Religious tradition dating back to the early Church under attack through the Schengen agreement
UK Charity Commissioners want access for women to Mount Athos
Supreme Court justices consider whether decency test for NEA grants is unconstitutional
Instead of raising hopes that they might deal a decisive slap in the face to Congressional limits on artistic expression, the justices gave no clear indication of where they were heading in the case
"Publication right" introduced into UK law
Museums and collectors should hasten to protect their rights in this field
Rauschenberg posts bail for his works
The artist has reached a settlement to allow his works to continue touring after being sued by an art consultant
WIPO treatises take the Berne copyright convention into the digital age
Is new copyright law needed for a new age?
The tensions in copyright law between the rights of artist, public and trade
We asked a number of lawyers to comment on the situation with regard to catalogues in their own jurisdictions, and found that the scope of protection varies widely
Unexplained blocking of proposals for Giacometti Foundation by French art authorities could point to a manipulative strategy
Delays over approving Giacometti Foundation suggest deliberate obstruction, so the only option remaining will be to hand over the collection to the state
Vast exodus of art from Hong Kong due to fears of a Chinese clamp-down after the handover
Collectors fear changes to export regulations after British departure
A discussion of the Unidroit convention from an art-world perspective: “Unidroit is a potential disaster—enough of disinformation and ideology”
Collector George Ortiz speaks up and argues that its ratification will achieve the exact opposite of its declared aims
Warhol lawyer loses $1.35 million in court ruling
Mr Hayes was told that he was only owed $3.5 million
Spanish to bring in laws that smooth the path for art sponsorship
Tax mandates pertaining to the acquisition of art will be eased for both donors and foundations
French association of Bronze-founders establish code of ethics
An attempt to combat the damage being caused by forgeries and unauthorised castings
Former Greek premier caught red-handed with illegal antiquities
Almost all Minoan antiquities assembled by former premier, Mr Mitsotakis, appear to have an illegal provenance.
French Culture Minister proposes amendment to art sponsorship policy in attempt to attract investors
France looks to Britain for models to increase private funding for the arts
Malévich heirs stake claim on MoMA works
The New York museum insists it has sound title