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The Case for Lunar Property Rights

Posted by timothy on from the title-check's-a-bitch dept.

longacre writes "Who owns the moon? In a thought provoking piece, Instapundit blogger/law professor Glenn Reynolds gives us a brief history of earthlings' discourse on lunar property rights, a topic which has stagnated since the 1979 Moon Treaty. Is it possible to claim good title on land that is not under the dominion of a nation? He goes on to plead his case for the creation of lunar real estate legislation. From the article: 'Property rights attract private capital and, with government space programs stagnating, a lunar land rush may be just what we need to get things going again.'"

3 of 387 comments (clear)

  1. Possession is nine tenths of the law. by mu11ing1t0ver · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think if anyone can actually get to the moon, they'll have a valid claim on it.

  2. 10 meters of fence and the moon is mine! by kanweg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    All you need is 10 meters (yards, retards) of fence. Put it up, and create a home in what others would call "outside" the fence but you call inside the fence because that is where your home is. The tiny spot is left for others.

    Bert
    Who'd hate to see the moon mined for He3. We're already wrecking a planet, we should have learned something from that.

  3. Re:location, location, location by raddan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Basically, it boils down to: it belongs to whomever can defend it. That's the way it works on Earth-- I don't think that'll change on the Moon, or on Mars. Lobbing rocks at Earth, anyone?

    Anyone who invests in lunar real estate before any kind of lunar authority is established, backed up by force, is an idiot.