The debate on the liberalisation of digital photography in archives and libraries four years after the Reti Medievali appeal

Abstract

On September 13, 2013, Reti Medievali launched an appeal on the web supported by the main Italian associations of historians and archaeologists, asking for the liberalisation of digital reproductions of documentary sources. On June 1, 2014, the Italian government' s “Art Bonus” decree came into effect, allowing for the free reproduction of all the types of heritage objects for scientific purposes. Unfortunately, just one month later, a more restrictive amendment modified the original text of the law, explicitly excluding printed books, manuscripts and archival documents from the liberalisation. Such an exception, officially justified on economic and conservation grounds, has provoked a wider debate in Italy. This debate, promoted by the movement “Fotografie libere per i Beni Culturali” ("Free Photography for Cultural Heritage"), aims to renew the original spirit of the “Art Bonus” decree.  This is in full compliance with privacy and copyright law, and in accordance with the reproduction policies of some of the major European libraries and archives. A recent document issued by the Consiglio Superiore per i Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici (Council for Cultural Heritage and Landscape of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism) finally seems to be heading in this direction.