The ethical question here can't really be resolved by the museum, in my
experience.  I take it that "predators" have sought to profit from your
objects, which of course are held in public trust.  If a researcher or
anyone wishes access to an object for measurement or whatever, permission
can be granted with a written agreement that no reproduction may be made of
the object without the museum's consent, and that any earnings from such
reproductions shall be shared with the owner of the object.  To enforce the
agreement, however, can involve payments to lawyers etc. and diversion of
the staff from more worthwhile endeavors.  Yet the museum sends a clear
signal that there is an ethic involved, and more often than not, the
agreement is respected.

Ross Weeks Jr.
Historic Crab Orchard Museum,
Tazewell VA
----------
> From: Sharon Koomler <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Access to Accession Files
> Date: Wednesday, March 19, 1997 10:23 PM
>
> Please answer to the list as I am interested in knowing the general
feeling
> of "public" access to accession information, too.  I am the new curator
of a
> significant collection of 19th & 20th century Shaker material culture,
and
> there are limitations to the information I share with researchers.  It
> varies, however, with the focus and reason for the research.  I have
> disappointed a number of persons interested in reproducing objects in our
> collection by not being able to allow them to measure pieces.  I find,
> however, that many times objects from our collection have been featured
in
> special exhibition catalogues, complete with measurements!
>
> I am very interested in learning how other institutions deal with this
issue.
>
> Sharon Duane Koomler, Curator
> Hancock Shaker Village