National Ownership Laws as Cultural Property Protection Policy: The Emerging Trend in United States v. Schultz

International Journal of Cultural Property, Vol. 12, p. 95, 2005

19 Pages Posted: 22 Aug 2010

See all articles by Kelly Y. Fanizzo

Kelly Y. Fanizzo

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; Temple University Beasley School of Law

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

The conviction of Frederick Schultz is the most recent turn in a storm of controversy that began over 25 years ago. Schultz was convicted under the National Stolen Property Act (NSPA) for conspiring to purchase Egyptian antiquities that, according to Egyptian law, were owned by the Egyptian government. The Schultz case is part of an emerging trend whereby the NSPA, enacted to permit criminal federal prosecution for stolen cars taken across state borders, has been applied to help foreign governments with national ownership laws keep antiquities within their borders. It reveals the many arguments surrounding whether the United States should recognize national ownership laws, such as Egyptian Law 117, to find an object “stolen” under the NSPA. Schultz argued to dismiss the indictment by claiming that the Egyptian law is merely a regulatory law and not a substantive investment of property rights; the United States has no real interest in upholding the Egyptian law; and, finally, if a case should be brought, it should be a civil action under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (CPIA). The court found that the Egyptian Law constituted a valid decree of national ownership, and, thus, the state owned the property Schultz purchased and sold. Declared stolen, the property fell within the reach of the NSPA and the United States government criminally charged Schultz. How best to protect cultural property remains a matter of debate. With the use of the NSPA, a new tool has emerged. This note focuses on the court’s reasoning in United States v. Schultz, and how the court’s decision may impact future cultural property cases. This note outlines the background of the case: the development and purpose of the NSPA, the McClain doctrine, the aftermath of McClain, including the 1970 UNESCO Convention and the implementation of the CPIA, and the court’s decision in United States v. An Antique Platter of Gold, the case preceding Schultz. It discusses Schultz’s activities and the court’s analysis of Schultz’s arguments within the context of United States policy. Finally, this note considers international efforts to protect cultural property and concludes that Schultz’s conviction reveals a new precedent in national courts and perhaps, the development of a new international norm.

Keywords: museum, antiquity, cultural property, theft, National Stolen Property Act, Cultural Property Implementation Act, Egypt, UNESCO, Schultz, McClain, property rights, national ownership law, export, import, archaeology

Suggested Citation

Fanizzo, Kelly Yasaitis and Fanizzo, Kelly Yasaitis, National Ownership Laws as Cultural Property Protection Policy: The Emerging Trend in United States v. Schultz (2005). International Journal of Cultural Property, Vol. 12, p. 95, 2005 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1661966

Kelly Yasaitis Fanizzo (Contact Author)

Temple University Beasley School of Law ( email )

1719 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC

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