Egypt intends to restrict the right to make copies of its ancient monuments by extending the copyright above 3000 years, claiming royalties for using likenesses of the Sphynx and the pyramids.So, casinos from Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Macau, future Gran Scala or any other entertainment center, will have to pay a royalty for using copies of Egyptian copyrighted monuments or museum pieces.
Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, said his country wanted to own the copyright to its historic monuments and would use any money raised to pay for the upkeep of its most prestigious sites.
“Even if it is for private use, they must have permission from the Egyptian government,” he told the BBC. “The new law will completely prohibit the duplication of historic Egyptian monuments which the Supreme Council of Antiquities considers 100-percent copies,… If the law is passed then it will be applied in all countries of the world so that we can protect our interests”
The discussion about copyrighting the pyramids started short time after some complaints in the Egyptian newspapers that many more tourists visit every year the casinos inspired from the Egyptian monument than the original monument, making reference at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas.
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