tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22351669.post3195056312244362985..comments2023-11-01T06:23:51.952-04:00Comments on Copyright Litigation Blog: Nazi Looted Art and Cocaine: When Museum Directors Take It, It Call the CopsRay Dowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07527134078878618834noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22351669.post-19157199169784272212013-07-26T22:30:24.125-04:002013-07-26T22:30:24.125-04:00I suggest you check out the case involving Peter B...I suggest you check out the case involving Peter Brant's acquisition of a Warhol, Red Elvis (reported in ArtNewsletter in 2005). You might find it interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22351669.post-59876977479486181702013-05-24T19:50:39.684-04:002013-05-24T19:50:39.684-04:00This is a brilliant argument. I will be sure to re...This is a brilliant argument. I will be sure to repeat it at every museum director's dinner to which I'm invited!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22351669.post-54988494606908540202013-05-22T10:43:40.422-04:002013-05-22T10:43:40.422-04:00It's not a victimless crime in that such loot ...It's not a victimless crime in that such loot has been misappropriated from the original 1930s/40s owner[s], thus they and their heirs have been deprived of ownership, possession and enjoyment.<br /><br />Under English Common Law, as augmented by statute if the museum director/curator/accessioner were aware, or it could be shewn, given due diligence, that consciousness could be assumed or inferred, of provenance and title broken by such theft on the part of a criminal regime, surely the museum trustees and their responsible officer would be liable to prosecution for receiving stolen goods. And I would submit that theft would include misappropriation by means of intimidation or undue pressure.<br /><br />Items may have passed through any number of hands before being acquired by a museum.<br /><br />Might it be a possibility that some items could be alleged to have "lost"/"mislaid" in the fog of war? Or have been taken by the soldiery and suchlike as "souvenirs"?<br /><br />Due diligence, surely, is the heart of the matter.<br /><br />I would suggest a start would be the compilation of a register of Nazi-looted art. Could this be done under UNESCO auspices?<br /><br />How extendible is this to other occasions and circumstances, such as the Russian Revolution, etc.hadPeter M. Thornbernoreply@blogger.com