Artists' moral rights laws in California and New York have important implications for conservators. The author, an attorney active in the arts, writes about the laws and their background, impact on museums, physical integrity of the work, art conservation standards and the museum's approach. How these laws may affect conservators (museum and independent) is also discussed. For instance, within the meaning of the New York law: An act performed by an art conservator on a work of art will constitute an alteration if it is perforrned negligently.