COMMUNIA Salon: The Rodin Case

On 13 October, from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST, we invite you to take a deep dive into the French “Rodin case,” a long-running dispute centred on a deceptively simple question: Should 3D scans of cultural heritage objects in the Public Domain be available for reuse, including commercial reuse?

The case began in 2018, when American artist Cosmo Wenman requested access to the Musée Rodin’s 3D scans of several sculptures by Auguste Rodin. Although the French Commission for Access to Administrative Documents (CADA) issued a favourable opinion, the museum refused to release the files. In 2023, the Administrative Court of Paris sided with CADA and ordered the museum to provide access. However, this ruling was then challenged by the Council of State, arguing that CADA had no authority over the scans.

In late 2025, the Council of State ultimately ruled that the collections of cultural heritage institutions do not constitute administrative documents and that the Musée Rodin was therefore not required to release the files. Beyond settling this particular dispute, the decision has potentially far-reaching consequences for access to cultural heritage and the reuse of digital reproductions of works in the Public Domain.

During this online COMMUNIA Salon, we will unravel the legal twists and turns of the Rodin case and explore its broader implications. To guide us through the discussion, we are delighted to welcome Cosmo Wenman (artist), Alexis Fitzjean ó Cobhthaigh (attorney in the Rodin case), Benjamin Jean (INNO3) and Brigitte Vézina (Director of Policy and Open Culture at Creative Commons). The panel will be moderated by Camille Françoise.

Register now to join us on 13 October to take a closer look at the Rodin case and what it tells us about the future of the digital Public Domain.

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