What a Museum in Tanzania Reminded me About Protecting Creative Work

I recently checked off my #1 bucket list trip—an African safari in Tanzania.

One unexpected highlight was visiting the Olduvai Gorge Museum, located in an area often called the "Cradle of Humankind." The museum tells the story of some of the world's most important discoveries about our early human ancestors, including a replica of the famous fossil "Lucy."

One of my favorite facts? Lucy was named after the Beatles' song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which the excavation team played repeatedly at their camp after her discovery.

As I walked through the exhibits, I couldn't help but think about all the people whose work makes museums possible—researchers, photographers, artists, writers, designers, and countless others.

Every exhibition represents an incredible amount of creativity and collaboration.

As an attorney who represents museums, I'm reminded that protecting those creative contributions is almost as important as preserving the objects themselves. Clear agreements about ownership, licensing, permissions, and intellectual property help museums avoid disputes and ensure everyone understands their rights from the beginning.

Sometimes a museum visit is more than an opportunity to learn about history—it also reminds me why I enjoy helping museums protect the work they're creating today.