When Science Enters the Courtroom: ArtRecord's Verification Report Accepted by the Court in a Cooperation with the Taiwan Art Gallery Association

In a recent artwork dispute, two parties brought their case to court, each with conflicting claims about the authenticity of a painting. During the court hearing, the defendant—a gallery—presented a certificate of purchase and appraisal reports, even citing relevant books as proof. The buyer, on the other hand, submitted an expert opinion from a professional institution. The courtroom was packed with at least ten people, as documents and testimonies were exchanged, conflicting expert opinions left the judge unable to make a clear decision. This deadlock is a typical scenario in art-related legal cases: lacking scientific evidence, judges can only rely on subjective expert opinions.

At the height of the debate, ArtRecord was commissioned by the Taiwan Art Gallery Association to act as a neutral third party for an "originality verification." Unlike traditional appraisals that focus on "who is the author," ArtRecord's technology focuses on verifying if the disputed work is the exact same piece as the one being claimed. By using microscopic imaging and AI comparison, we displayed real-time data in the courtroom, allowing the judge to directly see the comparison results and avoid getting lost in vague expert opinions.

After the hearing, ArtRecord issued a complete verification report and officially submitted it to the Taiwan Art Gallery Association. The court accepted the report because it met the three essential qualities required by the judiciary: objectivity (data-driven evidence, not subjective opinion), reproducibility (others can verify the findings using the same method), and traceability (data is fully preserved and cannot be tampered with). Ultimately, the court used the report from ArtRecord as a basis for its judgment, providing a scientific direction for the case.

4K Microscopic Imaging: Captures high-resolution details to create a unique structural "fingerprint" of the artwork, similar to DNA.

AI Image Comparison: Uses AI and machine learning algorithms for precise recognition of an artwork, even under different lighting and environmental conditions.

Cloud-Based Digital Certificate: Verification results are encrypted and uploaded instantly, ensuring data immutability and allowing for real-time checks.

Feature Comparison Database: Integrates historical records and big data to establish a reproducible and verifiable standard for comparison.

This case shows that for the first time, the court has adopted Art & Trust's scientific verification as a basis for its ruling, providing a data-driven foundation for resolving art disputes. When expert opinions are contradictory, scientific verification allows a judge to make a decision based on concrete results. ArtRecord's service is more than just a technology; it is a practical tool that can be used by the judiciary and the market. It helps lawyers strengthen their evidence in litigation and provides greater security for galleries and collectors in their transactions and collections.