This research examines the impact of recent changes in copyright law in the UK on the activities of museums and galleries that hold artistic works in their collections. More specifically, it focuses on research, study and education in these institutions to find out how these activities are affected by copyright law specially in the digital world. The main argument in general deals with the need for copyright law reform in order to facilitate research, study and education in museums and galleries, and to encourage these cultural institutions achieve their mission properly.