The German Perspective: Protection of Cultural Property under the KGSG ( Kulturgüterschutzgesetz ) Dr. Friederike Gräfin von Brühl, Partner, K&L Gates LLP, Berlin 4 September 2019
4 September 2019
Is the saying true? • In the UK, everything is permitted, unless it is forbidden. • In Germany, everything is forbidden, unless it is permitted. • In Italy, everything is allowed, even if it is forbidden. 4 September 2019
Export permissions under the KGSG National List • EXPORT PERMISSION IMPOSSIBLE Categories / Age and value thresholds • EXPORT PERMISSION REQUIRED 4 September 2019
Age and value thresholds under the KGSG 75 years and 300,000 EUR for paintings 75 years and 100,000 EUR for aquarelles, gouaches, pastels and sculptures 75 years and 50,000 EUR for mosaics, drawings, etchings, lithographs, photos and manuscripts 50 years and 50,000 EUR for archives 4 September 2019
Cultural property of “national significance” Historical importance for the cultural heritage of Germany („identity-forming“) Outstanding cultural public interest a) to avoid departure, i.e. substantial loss for national cultural heritage, George Grosz, b) to keep in the German territory “Brilliantenschieber im Café Kaiserhof“, 1920 4 September 2019
Exceptions to KGSG export restrictions • Temporary imports for a timeframe of less than 2 years (“Laissez passer“) • Temporary exports, provided the exporter guarantees that the work will be back in due time and without damage • Works of living artists may only be listed on the National List with artist‘s consent 4 September 2019
Why so much criticism? • The owner of the work does not receive any compensation for the loss in value. • The state is not obliged to buy the work of art or to make it accessible to the public if the export permission was denied. • Transactions in the German art market have become a challenge! 4 September 2019
Import Restrictions under the KGSG Could the treasure of Priamos be imported back to Germany? 4 September 2019
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