Copyright framework for digitizing cultural heritage sites in Terra Mosana

The Terra Mosana project centres around the creation of digital narratives drawing on the cultural heritage of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. These narratives are realised through the development of 3D models of archaeological, architectural and other cultural sites, to be shared throughout the region. In order to carry out the project responsibly, an understanding of the applicable copyright law is essential.
This report presents clear guidelines on the copyright laws applicable in the European Union, and specifically in the three countries in which members to the Terra Mosana project are located: Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Since copyright law in the European Union is only partly harmonized, the national legal systems provide the relevant legal context for activities carried out in relation to copyright protected works. Nevertheless, they share important cimilarities in areas of copyright law that internationally or at the European Union level have been regulated.
The present guidelines are separated into three deliverables: in 1.3.1, we present the rules applicable to identify public domain works and works protected by copyright, in 1.3.2, we discuss the acts that are restricted for copyright protected works and applicable exceptions, and in 1.3.3, we formulate best practices on how Terra Mosana partners can disseminate the works as part of the project.