For the files on laws and permits, especially Federal and international scientific permits, I am looking for documented accounts of museums of any type or discipline that have encountered legal problems with ownership, accessioning, deaccessioning, or other transactions involving permit disputes. This might involve (but is not limited to) shipping, customs, donation, lending, collecting, and other problems, and includes objects made with biological and/or geological materials as well as intact specimens. I do need documented as opposed to anecdotal or confidential accounts. 

I am also interested in finding out if any museum has successfully used the ASC-USFWS MOU to accept material from a private donor without the donor's having a permit. (If you don't know what that is, I  can explain off-list, but chances are you haven't used this if it looks unfamiliar.) Please reply off-list to spare everyone else the legalese. Many thanks!

Sally Shelton
Collections Officer
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC   20560-0107
phone (202) 786-2601, FAX (202) 786-2328
email <[log in to unmask]>