Egypt Eyes Luxor Casino as Copyright Infringement
Egypt is exploring the possibility of copyrighting its unique images, a concept which may have far-reaching implications for Las Vegas casinos.
In order to raise money to keep historical monuments such as the Pyramids and the Sphinx properly restored and renovated, Zahi Hawass, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, has proposed that anyone who duplicates the legendary structures be required to pay royalties.
The Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas advertises itself as the only pyramid-shaped building in the world, operates with an ancient Egyptian theme, and contains a reproduction of the Egyptian city of Luxor.
Hawass noted that, although the hotel is pyramid in shape, the interior is nothing like the interior of the Egyptian monuments. However, some Egyptian newspapers have called for the Luxor to pay a percentage of profits to the country which inspired it.
The paper Al-Wafd noted that 35 million people visit the replication of Luxor, while only 6 million visit the genuine article.
However, the head of the Luxor town council, Samar Farag, pointed out that tourists going to Las Vegas don't affect the business of Luxor.
The idea that nations might copyright specific buildings and images has to be an ominous one to Vegas. If the Pyramids can require royalties from the Luxor Hotel, why not France from the Paris Hotel and its model of the Eiffel Tower? Or Italy from the Venetian Hotel, with its replicas of the Sistine Chapel and many other Venetian sights?
Serious consideration of the future of such laws must be given by Vegas planers.
