1️⃣ The Origins of Art Law Art Law began as a niche field within the broader discipline of legal studies.In its early stages, it was not regarded as an independent area of law but rather a collection of scattered issues involving art transactions, ownership disputes,...
AI and the Provenance Revolution
Tracing the Hidden Histories of Artworks through RAG 1️⃣ Why Provenance Research Matters The value of an artwork lies not only in its form but also in its journey—where it was created, who owned it, and how it arrived in its present collection. This chain of...
U.S. Art Market Integrity Act: Regulating the Art Trade Like Banks?
In 2025, the U.S. Senate introduced the Art Market Integrity Act—a landmark bill aiming to overhaul how the art trade operates with respect to financial compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) oversight. If enacted, the law would place art dealers, galleries,...
Lee Ufan Painting Forgery Scandal: First Lady Kim Keon-hee and the Question of Authenticity
A controversy has emerged over the authenticity of Lee Ufan’s work “From Point No.800298”, which former prosecutor Kim Sang-min is alleged to have provided to First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Whether the painting is genuine or fake could significantly alter the legal and...
EU’s Stricter Cultural Goods Regulation Sparks Antiques Market Fallout
On June 28, 2025, the EU fully enacted Regulation 2019/880, governing the import of cultural goods. The law imposes strict requirements—including proof of lawful export—for artworks and cultural items over 200 years old or valued above €18,000. Archaeological items...
National Gallery Faces Legal Dispute After Donor’s Renaissance Painting Removed from Display
National Gallery Faces Legal Challenge over Donor’s Removed Renaissance Painting In July 2025, London’s National Gallery became the center of controversy after removing a 15th-century Renaissance painting—donated by Angus Neill—from its public display. The painting,...
Denmark to Grant Copyright Over Likeness: A Landmark Move Against AI Deepfakes
Denmark to Enact World’s First Copyright Law for Personal Likeness In a bold legal move, Denmark is preparing to amend its national copyright law to grant individuals copyright ownership over their own face, voice, and likeness. If passed, this legislation will make...
“Blue Tiger” Copyright Infringement Case: Korean Court Delivers Rare Prison Sentence for Art Plagiaris
Case Summary: Criminal Penalty for Art Plagiarism The incident occurred when a large café in Andong reproduced Ko Sang-woo’s artwork Destiny as a mural, without obtaining permission or crediting the artist. The mural was promoted on social media and used for...
Columbia Art Law Symposium 2025: Contracts at the Heart of a Billion-Dollar Industry
On February 21, 2025, Columbia Law School’s Kernochan Center hosted its annual Art Law Symposium under the theme:“The New Deal in Art: Structuring Agreements for a Billion-Dollar Industry.” Held at Jerome Greene Hall, the event brought together leading lawyers,...
Baker McKenzie: Pioneering a New Era of Legal Advisory Bridging Art and Heritage
Baker McKenzie is charting a new course in legal advisory by integrating cultural identity, artistic heritage, and digital assets into a unified legacy planning strategy tailored for today’s global elite. Global law firm Baker McKenzie is leading a new model of legal...