More re Egypt plans to copyright antiquities

Egypt Daily Star News (Ahmed Maged)

The issue of copyrighting cultural property has been under discussion for more than a decade. But the decision to apply such a rule to Egyptian monuments and artifacts — everything from pyramids to scarabs — couldn’t simply pass as a move aimed at protecting intellectual property.

“The copyright law relating to antiquities comes at a time when it is so badly needed to enforce attempts aimed at preservation and documentation,” Halim Nour El Din, professor of archaeology and former director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The main thrust of the law, which is still undergoing debate and drafting in the People's Assembly, is thought to apply to exact full-scale replicas of monuments. However, there seems the possibility that it will apply also to the manufacture and sale of tourist trinkets based on the nation's precious antiquities.

Alaa Mahrous, of the underwater archaeology department, Alexandria, spoke of the necessity of enforcing the law to curb semi- rather than exact imitations. “Distorted imitations are even more dangerous. You never know. Over the years they can pass as original,” remarked Mahrous.

However, there are other concerns. China is thriving on trading in Egyptian souvenirs manufactured in the country, an industry worth millions. Some nations have locally reproduced exact copies of some of the Egyptian sites to promote them as national tourist attractions, and these are generating profit from which Egypt doesn’t benefit.

Dr Abir Anany, a senior tourist guide, regretted the fact that the China-made Egyptian souvenirs are filling a gap left by the Egyptian market. “These souvenirs are an essential part of any tourist’s shopping spree. We have some made in Egypt but those are insufficient and expensive. One item could originally cost LE 5 and is sold for LE 100. We are copyrighting these items simply because we have failed to stand up against Chinese competition.”

Critics, therefore, argue whether the Supreme Council of Antiquities' (SCA) decision has been motivated by the keenness to preserve cultural heritage or the desire to share the profit of imitators.

It is difficult to argue strongly for one side against the other.

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