The areas of the law pertaining to works of art range from contracts, author's rights, and property, to legislation concerning cultural heritage, public institutions, etc. When public museums pursue commercial activities, such as selling objects inspired by the works on exhibit, they compete with the private sector and may encounter new types of legal problems. Moreover, the added revenue generated by commercial activities raises issues related to administrative and business law. The main role of museums is, of course, to preserve and protect artworks. Keeping these works under state protection is often the best way to safeguard them and ensure their accessibility to the public.
Museums acquire their collections in various ways, all of which are subject to legal control.
Art preservation policies are designed not only to keep works of art from leaving a given area, but also to oversee conservation and restoration.