Copyrighted© Artworks
The Artworks are protected by the Italian legislation on the protection of cultural heritage, the Italian Code of Cultural Heritage (Codice dei Beni Culturali e del Paesaggio)(CHC). This Code allows all Italian public cultural heritage institutions, such as the Uffizi, to overlook the fact that the masterpiece in question was created centuries before modern copyright laws were even enacted and bring legal action for infringement of intellectual property rights whenever there is an unauthorised use or reproduction of their artworks and cultural objects. Indeed, whilst most copyright laws around the world provide for a protection that lasts between 50 and 100 years, the approach in Italy is somewhat different. Under the Italian Code, a derogation from the usual period of protection is afforded to works considered to be particularly important for the cultural heritage of the country to protect against ‘unwelcome uses’ which might threaten their cultural, artistic and moral values.
The works covered by these provisions (as defined in Article 10 of the CHC) expressly include the entire collections of publicly-funded cultural organisations such as the Uffizi Galleries, as well as some works held in private collections but exhibited in publicly accessible spaces. The Code requires authorisation from the institution which holds the artwork in question for any intended reproduction. Fees are payable too, at a level to be determined in accordance with the specific circumstances (including, for example, the nature of the intended use, the reputation of the applicant and the target audience or customer base).
The works covered by these provisions (as defined in Article 10 of the CHC) expressly include the entire collections of publicly-funded cultural organisations such as the Uffizi Galleries, as well as some works held in private collections but exhibited in publicly accessible spaces. The Code requires authorisation from the institution which holds the artwork in question for any intended reproduction. Fees are payable too, at a level to be determined in accordance with the specific circumstances (including, for example, the nature of the intended use, the reputation of the applicant and the target audience or customer base).