Anarchy in the UK

An analysis of the inconsistencies in UK museums’ copyright claims over digital reproductions of public domain works This article draws on newly acquired Freedom of Information (FoI) data from sixteen UK cultural institutions to explore their policies and practices around copyright. It highlights the stark disparities in interpretations of copyright law, examines the impact on access and reuse, and calls for a unified, transparent approach that reflects both the law and the public mandate of these institutions. This article argues that UK cultural institutions’ inconsistent approaches to copyright hinder public access to cultural heritage and it calls for a unified, transparent framework that aligns with established legal principles.