Italian Fossils, What One Can Do?

In Italy the "things that concern palaeontology" are considered cultural heritage to be protected according to the pertinent law (the "Urbani Code"). A collection of data and information on the management of these "things" in Italy is presented, attempting to establish, according to the current regulatory framework, what one can or can not do with fossils. The authors, by sharing their individual experiences, provide some answers to recurrent questions about fossil management, thus hoping that the reported evidence can indicate when dealing with fossils can be configured as a legal operation or at least as an action of obvious advantage for the Italian State. It is noted that the legislative condition for which the research and protection of fossils, since 1928, is "reserved for the Ministry" has produced positive results, but also presents major drawbacks: fossils that crop out due to natural or anthropogenic causes are destroyed by millions, often in the absence of recovery operations. To remedy these and other drawbacks, the possibility of involvement in recoveries and emergency preparations of qualified volunteers is discussed.