Italian Government and German Puzzle Maker Clash Over Rights to “Vitruvian Man”
In a battle over cultural heritage and copyright law, the Italian government and German puzzle maker Ravensburger are at odds over the reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous drawing, “Vitruvian Man.”
The dispute stems from Italy’s cultural heritage and landscape code, which allows cultural institutions to request concession fees for the commercial reproduction of cultural properties. However, this code conflicts with European Union law, which states that works in the public domain, like “Vitruvian Man,” are not subject to copyright.
Ravensburger had been selling a puzzle featuring the image of “Vitruvian Man” for over a decade until the Italian government and the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice demanded the company stop selling the puzzle and pay a licensing fee in 2019. Ravensburger refused, leading to a legal battle that culminated in a Venice court ordering the company to pay a penalty for each day of delay.
However, a German court recently ruled in favor of Ravensburger, stating that Italy’s cultural heritage code did not apply outside its borders and violated European copyright law. The Italian government has vowed to challenge this ruling in various courts.
The clash highlights the complexities of protecting cultural heritage while also allowing for commercial use. Experts warn that Italy’s aggressive approach could deter legitimate companies from producing goods depicting iconic Italian works of art, potentially diminishing Italy’s global cultural influence.
As the legal battle continues, the fate of “Vitruvian Man” and the broader implications for the protection of cultural heritage remain uncertain.
