a. Alteration, defacement, mutilation or modification of a work of fine art resulting from the passage of time or the inherent nature of the materials shall not create a violation of this act or a right to disclaim authorship under this act, provided that the alteration, defacement, mutilation or modification was not the result of gross negligence in maintaining or protecting the work of fine art.

b. In the case of a reproduction, a change that is an ordinary result of the medium of reproduction shall not create a violation of this act or a right to disclaim authorship under this act.

c. Conservation shall not constitute an alteration, defacement, mutilation or modification within the meaning of this act, unless the conservation work is shown to have been performed in a negligent manner.

L. 1986, c. 97, s. 6, eff. Aug. 27, 1986.