In a wacky development, the Egyptian parliament is apparently set to pass a law to collect worldwide royalties for model pyramids, sphinxes and the like.
See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7160057.stm
Although Egyptian claims that they need the money to protect the Luxor site are totally credible, one wonders by what right they can copyright material that has been in the public domain for thousands of years. Even the US who regularly pass legislation extending copyright protection terms and criminalize activities that probably should be considered ‘fair use’, have not tried anything quite so ludicrous.
Now the United States has the International clout to bully other countries to conform to their standards. Egypt doesn’t. This appears to be yet another example of IP gone wrong.
Then again, with the US increasing Copyright terms every 20 years to prevent Micky Mouse from entering the public domain (now doubt due to the delays obtaining FDA approval or something) and with Jimmy Hendrix’ copyright restablished after it lapsed in the UK, the concept of retroactive protection is well established.
Perhaps this is simply an Egyptian knee jerk reaction to being blacklisted by the US? Maybe we in Israel should respond by collecting royalties for all Bibles, Biblical references, uses of Biblical names, singing of Jerusalem at the Last Night of the Proms…. there’s a thought!
