Egypt to copyright pyramids

8 hours ago

CAIRO (AFP) — In a potential blow to themed resorts from Vegas to Tokyo, Egypt is to pass a law requiring payment of royalties whenever its ancient monuments, from the pyramids to the sphinx, are reproduced.

Zahi Hawass, the charismatic and controversial head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, told AFP on Tuesday that the move was necessary to pay for the upkeep of the country's thousands of pharaonic sites.

"The new law will completely prohibit the duplication of historic Egyptian monuments which the Supreme Council of Antiquities considers 100-percent copies," he said.

"If the law is passed then it will be applied in all countries of the world so that we can protect our interests," Hawass said.

He said that a ministerial committee had already agreed on the law which should be passed in the next parliamentary session, while insisting the move would not hurt Egyptian artisans.

"It is Egypt's right to be the only copyright owner for these monuments in order to benefit financially so we can restore, preserve and protect Egyptian monuments."

Israel Claims Copyright on Ten Commandments. May Sue Vatican

ATICAN CITY (CNS)-- The Vatican has issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, saying motor vehicles can be an "occasion of sin."

A document titled "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road" said driving can unleash road rage and other immoral behavior, including excess speed, reckless passing, cursing and just plain rudeness.

"Cars tend to bring out the 'primitive' side of human beings, thereby producing rather unpleasant results," the document said.

The warning about driving came in the first part of the 59-page instruction, released June 19 by the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers.

The document said drivers need to remember that even when there is no one sitting next to them, they are never alone.