International police organization INTERPOL announced today it has launched a website featuring a database of global stolen artwork.
The move is part of the agency's effort to combat the illicit trade of stolen artwork.
Online access will be available to the law enforcement community as well as anyone interested in accessing the database. Users first have to
"The inclusion of a stolen cultural property item into INTERPOL's stolen works of art database, and extensive online access to the database, therefore represent an important barrier to the illicit trafficking of a stolen cultural object by making its sale more difficult." The database will be open to governments, museums, auctions houses, art galleries, foundations and collectors. INTERPOL hopes its database will make it "that much more difficult for a seller or purchaser to claim not having the opportunity to check whether an item was recorded as stolen." Previous access to stolen works of art was only available on DVD by application.
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