"The [complaint] reveals the kind of misunderstandings that can result when repositories get into the permissions business"

Peter Hirtle on photograper Anne Pearse-Hocker's lawsuit against the Smithsonian:

"I can well imagine that a user would see 'worldwide permission' and assume everything is covered. The case is a strong reminder that when making reproductions for patrons and granting permissions, repositories need to be crystal-clear about what they are doing. In many ways, I wish we could come up with a word other than 'permissions,' which is so closely connected to copyright, when it is physical ownership that is in play."