Intellectual Property Management in Museums: A Systematic Literature Review

Purpose Intellectual property is an important component that builds an organization’s value and future productivity. The generation of goods protected by intellectual property, especially by copyrights, characterizes the cultural sector’s activity. Despite the significance of intellectual property rights in museum management, there remains a need for further systematization and analysis of the latest trends and practices implemented in cultural institutions. The article scrutinizes the relationship of intellectual property, general management, and the cultural sector – especially in museums. Methodology I based my study on the methodology of systematic literature review to determine the current state of knowledge, the main thematic fields discussed, and the existing research gaps regarding intellectual property management in museums. Findings The preliminary findings indicate that the knowledge on intellectual property management needs to be deepened and systematized. Scholars analyze this topic within three fields: 1) intellectual property as a museum’s valuable asset; 2) intellectual property management as a process composed of functions; and 3) the museum as a cultural organization dealing with intellectual property rights. Originality/value Intellectual property management in museums still requires systematization and thorough analysis. The topic is important because appropriate management of rights allows an institution to collaborate with its environment and stabilize its own operation effectively.