Italy's Competition Bill to Allow Free Photography in Archives and Libraries

Italy's Competition Bill (Ddl Concorrenza), passed by the Chamber of Deputies on June 29, 2017, with 218 votes in favor, 124 against, and 36 abstentions, is set to liberalize and simplify the photographic reproduction of cultural assets held in libraries and archives. The bill, originally introduced by the government in April 2015, underwent modifications in the Chamber and now awaits final Senate approval on August 1. A key provision addresses the contradiction that while museums have allowed photography since the 2014 Art Bonus reform (under conditions of non-commercial use, no contact, no tripods, low resolution), libraries and archives remained excluded. The new measure would permit free photography of public-domain bibliographic and archival materials for personal and study purposes, using personal devices like smartphones, without prior authorization or fees. Critics had argued that restrictions were based on outdated fears of damage, but modern cameras and smartphones allow contactless reproduction. The bill also requires social media influencers to clearly identify paid promotions. The reform is seen as a democratic step toward open access to knowledge, overcoming institutional possessiveness and bureaucratic hurdles.