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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071225/wl_mideast_afp/egyptantiquitieslaw;_ylt=AoSRh1M2.c1kkGO.ShSFfCb9xg8F

Egypt to copyright pyramids

World gone mad? Or world gone corporate? Either way, this made me laugh.

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.

I was in Cairo the other month, so can tell you that this “law” is pretty much already in place: It’s enforced by the vendors and oh-so-efficient “Tourist Police”* who demand a “one dollah” payment for any item bought, photo taken, or gaze directed at the ancient monuments.

*this can be read two ways

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