Egypt apparently plans to copyright the pyramids and its other antiquities despite the fact that they have been in the public domain for thousands of years now. I’m not entirely certain how it plans to enforce the law or ensure that it can collect royalties. [1]

The issue, I suppose, is whether a photograph or other reproduction of an old work in the public domain constitutes a new work with independent intellectual property rights. Bridgeman Art Library, Ltd. v. Corel Corp., 36 F. Supp. 2d 191 (S.D.N.Y. 1999) [2] clarifies the situation in the United States.

In the case of the Sistine Chapel, the Japanese TV network NHK reportedly paid between three and four million for its restoration in return for exclusive film and publication rights. The Vatican thus managed to turn an ancient artistic work into a commercial property. [3]

The Bridgeman precedent does not apply in the UK and the legal position in most countries still seems to be unclear.

Links:
[1] Proposal to Copyright Egyptian Monuments: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071225/lf_afp/egyptantiquitieslaw
[2] Bridgeman Art Library, Ltd. v. Corel Corp.: http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/cases/36_FSupp2d_191.htm
[3] Eric Scigliano, Inglorious Restorations, Harper’s Magazine: http://www.harpers.org/archive/2005/08/0080699