Copywriting the Pyramids

[Orleander]

I wonder if the US could do the same thing with the Statue of Liberty?

Can Egypt Copyright the Pyramids?

If they get their way, Egyptian officials will make it illegal to produce exact replicas or sell images of the Pyramids and other recognizable antiquities in the country, though such regulations are unlikely to be enforced internationally, some legal experts say.

Under the proposed law, manufacturers and retailers worldwide would have to obtain special permission—and in some cases pay fees—to Egypt to sell products relating to such prized icons as the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the mask of Tutankhamun.

Some 120 antiquities would be protected under the new law, Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, told National Geographic News.

Hawass, a National Geographic Society explorer-in-residence, has championed a push to reclaim Egyptian artifacts scattered around the world. (The National Geographic Society owns National Geographic News.)

The law holds that no exact-scale replica can be made: For instance, if an object is two inches (five centimeters) tall, a product of the same dimensions cannot be made without permission. But a three-inch (six-centimeter) replica would be acceptable, Hawass said.

Lawyers who drafted the bill also said they plan to seek royalties from those who use images of antiquities commercially in photography, television, and movies—but not those images used for educational purposes.

Funds generated by the proposed law would go toward the preservation of historic sites, Hawass said.

"We want to protect Egyptian antiquities. We want to protect our values. This is the most important thing," he said.....

[Read-Only]

That's a pretty nutty and practically unenforceable idea.

[John99]

There is something called 'Public Domain'...

[kmguru]

If that happens, those who are patenting the gene can claim, no one can draw any humans because the DNA that produces the humans are patented!

[maxzuk]

The next thing, someone will try to copywrite or patent the fire or the wheel.

[Asguard]

Hey thats a good idea i might just do that

*walks down to the local patant office*

[Orleander]

That's a pretty nutty and practically unenforceable idea.

Its only enforceable in their own country. I think Egypt could enforce it.

[Read-Only]

Its only enforceable in their own country. I think Egypt could enforce it.

Perhaps they could - I really don't care - and it's STILL a nutty idea.

[Facial]

This kind of reminds me of Wikipedia's article styles:

"Wheels are still in widespread use today" - CITATION NEEDED

"Chopsticks remain a predominant eating utensil in East Asian countries" - CITATION NEEDED

"Bipedal locomotion, otherwise known as walking, is the most basic form of human transportation" -CITATION NEEDED

"Without the sun, life would not exist" -CITATION NEEDED

[Orleander]

wha????

[darksidZz]

They try patenting anything these days, I think it's all very ridiculious.

[Diode-Man]

LOL OMG.... Egypt will HAVE to sue me once I make a big fat pyramid in my backyard!

[Fraggle Rocker]

LOL OMG.... Egypt will HAVE to sue me once I make a big fat pyramid in my backyard!

If I read that correctly, it would have to be identical in size. But a photograph (and by extension surely a hologram) would be a violation.

[EntropyAlwaysWins]

Last time i checked, governments were not allowed to hold the patent or copyright of anything.

And just for the sake of argument suppose they could: wouldn't any form of legal protection have expired by now considering how long the pyramids have been around for.

Plus, assuming you don't believe the conspiracy theorists, other cultures (e.g. central American ones) also thought of the idea independently.

[kmguru]

You are thinking about patent...not copyright....Copyright has a maximum 95 year protection in USA and that is long expired....

[Avatar]

"We want to protect Egyptian antiquities. We want to protect our values. This is the most important thing," he said.....

There, fixed it:
"We want to make money off Egyptian antiquities. We want to cash in on our history. This is the most important thing"

[EntropyAlwaysWins]

You are thinking about patent...not copyright....Copyright has a maximum 95 year protection in USA and that is long expired....

Yeah i suppose but i have never heard if a government owning the copyright to anything either.