From simple commission contracts to complex promotional social media strategies, cultural institutions often have to deal with copyrights. Their protection and the ability to share resources is not only a matter of delicate negotiations between creators, intermediaries and principals, but also an area with enormous social mobilisation potential that is usually lost in the difficult process of managing legal affairs within an institution.

Openness policies are designed to provide explanations and practical guidance on how the institution’s mission and strategy should operate in respect of copyright management. Starting with public domain works through to the negotiation of new acquisitions and managing the intellectual property produced within the institution – where and how can the openness policy be of help? We will discuss that and more using such institutions as museums, medialabs and science and education centres as practical examples.

Shared Cities: Creative Momentum is a European cultural platform addressing the urban challenges of contemporary European cities. SCCM is a joint project of Goethe-Institut (DE), Czech Centres (CZ), reSITE (CZ), Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava (SK), Association of Belgrade Architects (RS), Contemporary Architecture Centre (HU), Katowice City of Gardens (PL), KUNSTrePUBLIK (DE), Mindspace (HU), Old Market Hall Alliance (SK), Res Publica – Cities Magazine (PL). Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Local partner: Regional Institute of Culture in Katowice.