Object ID is an international standard for describing cultural objects. It is the result of years of research in collaboration with the museum community, international police and customs agencies, the art trade, insurance industry, and valuers of art and antiques.

The Object ID project was initiated by the J. Paul Getty Trust in 1993 and the standard was launched in 1997. It is being promoted by major law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Scotland Yard and Interpol, UNESCO, museums, cultural heritage organisations, art trade and art appraisal organisations, and insurance companies.

Having established the descriptive standard, the Object ID project now helps combat the illegal appropriation of art objects by facilitating documentation of cultural property and by bringing together organisations around the world that can encourage its implementation.

From 1999 to 2004, the Object ID project was housed at the Council for the Prevention of Art Theft (CoPAT). In October 2004, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) signed an agreement with the J. Paul Getty Trust for ICOM's non-exclusive worldwide use of the Getty's Object ID standard. ICOM, in close collaboration with UNESCO and other organisations fighting illicit trade, will actively disseminate information about Object ID and also organize workshops on its implementation. New translation initiatives are constantly being promoted and undertaken.

*Object ID ™ is a trademark of the J. Paul Getty Trust. Use of this trademark is prohibited without permission from: ICOM, Maison de l'UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, 75732 Paris cedex 15, France © The J. Paul Getty Trust, 1999. All rights reserved.