Morning Links — British Library launches eBook Treasures

I wondered whether the British Library claims a copyright for these ancient illustrated manuscripts and, if so, on what basis. Would re-packaging (compilation rights) be sufficient or must one add things such as commentary and analysis to support such a claim?

Just as images of famous works of art like the “Mona Lisa” are controlled by the museum or gallery that owns them, so are images of manuscripts like this.

I think that Marilynn is probably right. There is no copyright per se but if you can control the only or the best copy of a unique item (painting, sculpture, illustrated manuscript, etc.) and you can control access to it (no photography allowed), you have a virtual, time unlimited monopoly which is better than a copyright.