Italy's 2017 Law Liberalizing Photo Reproduction in Archives and Libraries Faces Resistance
Italian law 124/2017, effective August 29, 2017, liberalized photography in archives and libraries, ending a long-standing ban that forced researchers to take clandestine photos or pay for expensive reproduction services. The law was a victory after a hard battle, but resistance persists, notably from the director of the Archivio di Stato di Palermo, who requires unauthorized permission requests. Critics within the state apparatus have labeled the measure as 'neoliberismo renziano.' The author, Fabrizio Federici, argues for further liberalization to allow free publication of images of public cultural property in scientific journals, without authorizations or fees. The article emphasizes that research and dissemination are part of cultural heritage preservation and should be facilitated, not hindered.
Key facts
- Law 124/2017 liberalized photography in Italian archives and libraries.
- The law entered into force on August 29, 2017.
- Previously, photography was officially banned for mysterious conservation reasons, but actually to protect a proprietary view of cultural heritage.
- Researchers had to take clandestine photos when custodians were absent or distracted.
- The director of the Archivio di Stato di Palermo requires an authorization request not foreseen by the law.
- Critics within the state apparatus have labeled the law as 'neoliberismo renziano'.
- The author advocates for further liberalization of publishing images of public cultural property.
- Fabrizio Federici is the author of the article, published on Artribune.
Entities
Artists
- Fabrizio Federici
Institutions
- Archivio di Stato di Palermo
- Artribune
Locations
- Italy
- Palermo