Hello,
My Museum is considering purchasing a sculpture from
an artist who keeps a very close watch on their work. 
This is an artifact purchase, not work-for-hire.  That
being said, I am on the prowl for information about
what other institutions have agreed to regarding the
transfer of copyright and intellectual property
rights.  

I know the basics of copyright/photo copyright/IP, but
since I have not been involved with many artifact
purchases (primarily donations), this is a unique
circumstance for me. We want to make the process go
smoothly, but don't want to end up with a
restriction-filled purchase.

Here are a couple specific questions we have:

Is your staff allowed to photograph the image for the
institution's marketing and publicity purposes?

How about for other purposes such as in Museum
publications or merchandise?

Do you have a clause that specifically transfers
copyright to your institution?

And/or, do you contact the seller (creator) each time
you plan to use a museum-created image of the piece?

This piece will be in an exhibit that allows
photography.  The seller (creator) prefers that
visitors do not photograph it.  Have you had an
experience where photography was allowed except for a
single piece? Has that worked?

Any and all information you have will be helpful.  I
searched the Museum-L archives but came up flat.
Thanks in advance,
Lindsey MacAllister



 
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