Hi Andy,

Thanks for sending this over. I've now had time to read through this and have a couple of thoughts that might be relevant for folks on this list. As far as a formal response from Wikimedia UK goes, I will create a draft page on the Wikimedia UK wiki and encourage people to chip in if they would like to. Then, based upon that, the board can decide if they want to go ahead and respond.

I'll forward over a link to the draft page shortly. In the meantime, some comments.

Section 3 - Digital and Online Engagement

I'd like to see something in here about digital content being openly licensed (either PD or CC0 if possible, CC BY-SA also fine). Could become element 3.6. I think there is also the potential to add something appropriate in the self-evaluation questions regarding considering the use of open licenses.

Section 5 - Safeguarding Collections

There's an explicit mention of public domain in 5.2: "Retain items in the public domain at whichever location provides the best balance of care, context and access." If we define the internet as a location, and I think we can, then this is a persuader for museums to work with the Wikimedia projects. Helps that it is not an either / or proposition.

Section 7 - Research

7.3 commits to making results and outputs from research publicly accessible. How can our movement make use of this commitment and content in a systematic way?

Section 13 - Digital Collections

There's nothing in here about sharing of content more widely. I think we could draft something collaboratively here that's Wikimedia- / open-friendly. If it's pitched correctly they may include in an updated draft.

Section 19 - Institutional Conduct

19.1 stresses the need to act in the public interest. Something that I speak about often is that sharing knowledge as widely as possible, through Wikimedia projects or elsewhere, is about public benefit. Widest possible access to educational material and collections is clearly in the public interest.

In summary I think this is a pretty good document. There are elements of it that we can use when making a case to museums to work closely with our movement. There are also areas where we can have a little influence, such as those above. If you'd like to be involved in drafting a response to this, Please do get involved here - https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/DRAFT:_response_to_Museums_Association_code_of_ethics

Thanks and regards,

Stevie

On 28 July 2015 at 12:09, Andy Mabbett <andy@pigsonthewing.org.uk> wrote:

Some of you may wish to comment on this draft, with regard to licensing, copytheft, access for photography, etc.

A formal WikimediaUK response may also be advisable.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Rebecca Atkinson" <rebecca.atkinson@museumsassociation.org>
Date: Jul 28, 2015 10:10 AM
Subject: [MCG] The MA is seeking comments on draft Code of Ethics
To: <MCG@jiscmail.ac.uk>

Sent on behalf of Alistair Brown (with apologies for cross-posting):

The Museums Association has been working for over a year with museums professionals, sector bodies, volunteers and other interested parties to produce an updated Code of Ethics for the sector.

The last full update of the Code took place in 2002, while a partial update on financially motivated disposal took place in 2007.

Following a year of consultation activities and events, the MA has recently published a draft Code of Ethics for a further period of consultation with the sector.

We welcome any comments on this by Friday 7th August via the MA website: http://www.museumsassociation.org/forms/draft-code-of-ethics-consultation

Please do take the time to read the new code and offer constructive feedback.

Many thanks,

Rebecca Atkinson

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Stevie Benton
Head of External Relations
Wikimedia UK
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@StevieBenton

Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).

Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.