How is the Smithsonian chartered? It may get public money, but is it directly an agency of the government? If so, this is almost certainly illegal. The director of that facility does not have the right or the power to sell exclusive access to any private corporation, any more than he has a right to sell the museum's artifacts at a garage sale. Who does he think he is, Bill Clinton? Bill Richardson?
I have no idea, this is the first I've ever given it any thought. I thought the exhibits were there for anyone to film. But the top executive puts Clinton and Richardson to shame as far as their salary goes.
Hehe, actually it sorta does. I bought a saber from the Smithsonian collection at a private auction (Butterfield) a few years back. They were offing some of their surplus.