Egypt ? Egypt might copyright its pharaonic antiquities, from the pyramids to scarab beetles, in an attempt to get paid from the sale of replicas, an official said Thursday.

It was unclear whether such a copyright would be recognized internationally.

Antiquities chief Zahi Hawass said it would apply only to exact replicas – including scale – meaning someone would have to build a full-size copy of the giant pyramids for it to violate the copyright.

The provision is part of a new draft antiquities law that Hawass put before the Egyptian parliament. The bill would also mandate life imprisonment for antiquities smugglers, an attempt to crack down on theft of Egypt’s heritage.

Under the law, anyone seeking to make an exact replica of a copyrighted pharaonic artifact would have to seek permission from and pay a fee to Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.