>This is even more interesting! I agree totally, but is there any kind of
>legal paragraph somewhere that someone can supply? Or any anecdotal
>evidence of repercussions to donor or institution? Our development office
>has gotten pretty enthusiastic over this kind of thing, to the dismay of
>the museum committee. Any factual info would be helpful (by the way, our
>legal people have been ok'ing this).
>
>Ivy Fleck Strickler                     Phone 215-895-1637
>Drexel University                       Fax 215-895-4917
>Nesbitt College of Design Arts          [log in to unmask]
>Philadelphia, PA 19104
>
>"Never forget that life is like a Fellini movie, and you're getting to see
>it for free=8A"

I don't have our deed of gift here at home, but I'll get the correct wording
tomorrow. Our deed of gift includes a clause that ensures the donor and
his/her heirs agree to relinquish all claim to any donated artifact,
photograph, or whatever appears in Appendix A of the agreement for all time.
It basically gives our collection exclusive rights to the object(s), and
that little clause makes us comfortable enough to know we won't be "um-ing
and uh-ing" about it down the road. I should also mention we had a contract
lawyer look at it. It'll hold up in court. I'll e-mail the precise language
tomorrow.

Amy