The art of the internet

In 2004, the Ministry of Justice ordered an investigation into the antiques and art trade within the framework of the 'Organised Crime Prevention Programme'. It emerged from this investigation that Internet auctions are gaining ground compared to normal auctions. A survey carried out in 2007 by Interpol indicates an increase in illicit trafficking in cultural goods on the web; however, it is difficult to assess the precise role of the Internet within this illegal trade, and the way buyers and sellers go about their business on the web. To gain better insight into the nature and scale of the trade in cultural goods on the Internet, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science commissioned exploratory research. The research comprised a literature study, interviews with experts and an Internet search. 

In The art of the Internet, the researchers present their findings. On two of the Netherlands' leading online trading sites, they found a total of 681 objects that may be on sale illegally. These objects originate from various continents and hail from various historic eras, for example, Roman arrow heads and pre-Columbian pottery. The monetary value of the objects on sale is generally low and the number of people trading objects illegally via these sites is limited. 

The research also makes clear that existing legislation is sufficient for combating illicit trafficking in cultural goods on the Internet. Nevertheless, the researchers point out a number of gaps in the monitoring and enforcement chain.
Given the scale of the problem as it is revealed by this exploratory research, the consideration is whether more should be invested in combating the illicit online trafficking of cultural goods. 

The Safety & Security Studies series is an initiative of the network of Collaborating Institutions for Security (in Dutch: Samenwerkende Kennisinstellingen voor Veiligheid). The editors of the series are Dr S. Pleysier (coordinator of the Expertise Centre Social Security of the Catholic University South-West Flanders, Belgium, IPSOC department), Dr W.K.F. Rodenhuis (lector risk management at the Saxion University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Dr W.P. Stol (lector cyber safety at NHL University of Applied Sciences and the Police Academy of the Netherlands, professor police studies at the Open University) and Dr J. Timmer (lector security and social cohesion at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences).