Observer: "Sotheby's had a decent legal case, if not the great moral one".

In his observations on the latest developments in the Sotheby's Koh Ker Duryodhana case, cultural property lawyer Peter Tompa disapproves Sotheby's decision ("Sotheby's Throws in the Towel", Thursday, December 12, 2013). He'd have preferred to see both sides brought down spitting blood:

Sotheby's had a decent legal case, if not the great moral one.  In CPO's view, it's thus too bad the federal government wasn't put to its proofs. 

He says that "by folding", Sotheby's will only embolden the preservationists. It is a shame that Sotheby's did not retain Bailey and Ehrenburg to defend their interests. Their lawyers certainly seem enthusiastic.