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Written question asked by Lord Freyberg (Crossbench) on Thursday, 18 September 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 October 2025. It was answered by Baroness Twycross (Labour) on Thursday, 2 October 2025 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Government Art Collection: Copyright

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 17 September (HL10442), whether the Government Art Collection claims any form of copyright, other than Crown Copyright, in digital reproductions of two-dimensional artworks that are in the public domain, whether or not those reproductions were taken by Government employees.

Answer

The Government Art Collection (GAC) does not claim copyright in digital reproductions of two-dimensional artworks that are in the public domain. The GAC has not sought or received guidance about the assertion of copyright, aside from Crown Copyright. The decision to license images for commercial and non-commercial use through a contractual agreement is an operational decision taken by the GAC, based on commercial contract law for the access and supply of digital assets.

There are no current or scheduled plans for the GAC to allow high-resolution images of works of art that are in the Government Art Collection and in the public domain to be downloaded free of charge for non-commercial use.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL10690
Session
2024-26
Related items
Government Art Collection: Copyright
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Written questions
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Artworks Copyright Reprography Government Art Collection
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk