Egypt

Can Egypt copyright the pyramids?

National Geographic (Steven Stanek)

I think that this subject has probably been thoroughly talked out for the time being, but for those who haven't been following the proposal to copyright ancient Egyptian monuments and artefacts, this two-page article is a useful round-up of the topic, pulling together the main issues and doubts. It also talks about some other, less surprising aspects of the proposed bill, which appears to have a very wide scope:

The legislation also contains provisions that stiffen penalties for those caught smuggling, stealing, or destroying antiquities—the first revision of such laws since 1983. . . .

The maximum penalty for smuggling would be increased from the current 15 years to possible life imprisonment, including a U.S.$90,000 fine, according to El Ashmawi. Those who damage or destroy antiquities could face up to five years in prison and a penalty of U.S.$18,000.

"Stopping the smuggling of antiquities is more important than stopping the smuggling of drugs," he said. "Some people are making millions."

El Ashmawi added that offenders who help Egyptian authorities retrieve illegally trafficked goods or who turn in their partners will receive shorter sentences or be released.

New provisions will also stop foreign archaeological expeditions from taking some of their finds out of Egypt. Under current laws, foreign archaeologists are allowed to transport ten percent of their discoveries back home, according to Hawass.

"Our antiquities are not for sale. They are not for the taking," Hawass said.

The law would even create restrictions for locals at major tourism sites. Egyptian vendors selling goods—including those who offer the popular camel and horse rides at the foot of the Giza Pyramids—will be forced to remain outside of a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) buffer zone.

See the above page for the full story.

- Antiquities Law: Egypt Tightens Penalties
Al Ahram Weekly (Nevine El-Aref) Over the past year various committees in the State Council and the People's Assembly have been reviewing the new antiquities law, which has finally been approved and will be endorsed on Monday. Parliament also rejected...

- New Law Expected To Impose Penalties For Antiquities Trafficking And Copyright Of Egypt's Heritage
Al Ahram Weekly Parliament is shortly expected to endorse a draft law outlining severer penalties for antiquities trafficking and copyright of Egypt's heritage, Nevine El-Aref reports Protecting Egypt's cultural heritage from treasure hunters,...

- Alleged Egyptian Antiquities Smuggler Apprehended
Monsters and Critics A Lebanese antiquities dealer was arrested in Bulgaria after being charged with smuggling stolen ancient Egyptian artifacts, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) said on Thursday. 'Ali Abu Taam was accused of smuggling...

- New Law On The Way
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/766/he1.htm Ashraf Ashmawi, legal consultant in the SCA, told Al-Ahram Weekly that changes in the 1983 law focussed on five articles. The first was properly and legally to identify three main terms -- the SCA's permanent...

- The Land Of Plagues
The Egyptian government is looking to pass harsher laws to stop the smuggling of antiquities these laws will only serve to keep in prisons people for many years at the expense of the well being of the monuments. In Dr. Zahi Hawass' book "The valley...

Egypt