The MILE (Metadata Image Library Exploitation) Project was developed and originated by The Bridgeman Art Library and is funded by the European Commission with the aim of making art available to everyone by improving metadata. 

The seminar in Barcelona was a significant debate focusing on Orphan Works and Copyright where leading European and American image rights experts presented national updates and case studies.

Barcelona		Amalyah Keshet from The Israel Museum speaking

Key speakers included leading figures from the US such as Jonathan Band, who has played an integral role in shaping legislative proposals to the US copyright office on Orphan Works, and Jeff Sedlik, President and CEO of the PLUS Coalition; from the Museums Documentation Association (MDA), Naomi Korn, Copyright Consultant and IP Advisory Committee for Collections; and eminent copyright experts from across Europe and the Middle East.

The seminar welcomed attendants both from within MILE, and from external organizations including University Politècnica de Catalunya, Index Fototeca, The British Museum Company and Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura de Barcelona.

		Pandora and Naomi Korn in foreground

Industry experts gave a series of lively, inspiring presentations on the current state of image and metadata rights and reproduction, copyright exceptions and real case studies from the digital image industry. Specific focus was centred around the current highly politicized debate on orphan works.

It is MILE's hope that these talks will lead to the enhanced use, accessibility and trade of digital content in order to stimulate and exploit cultural heritage throughout the European Union.

Full list of speakers (in order of speaking):

Amalyah Keshet, The Israel Museum, Israel
Jeff Sedlik, The PLUS Coalition, USA
Jonathan Band, policybandwidth, USA
Christina Michalos, 5 Raymond Buildings, UK
Janusz Kolczynski and Ewelina Sliwinska, Wardynski & Partners, Poland
Naomi Korn, MDA, UK
Staffan Teste, Bildombudsmannen AB, Sweden
Sarah Saunders, BAPLA, UK

For more information on MILE please contact
Lucy Geering, MILE Project Administrator
lucy.geering@bridgeman.co.uk / +44 (0) 20 7908 1607

www.mileproject.eu