Moon Fraud: Buying Land On The Moon

Many businesses claim to be able to sell land on the moon, because of a loophole in a 1967 treaty. This loophole was closed before a claim to ownership was recognised, so all such businesses are committing fraud.

Below is the relevant part of Article 11, Paragraph 3 of the 1979 Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies:

Neither the surface nor the subsurface of the moon, nor any part thereof or natural resources in place, shall become property of any State, international intergovernmental or non-governmental organization, national organization or non-governmental entity or of any natural person.

This makes it clear that businesses claiming to own land on the moon are lying, and by selling it they are committing fraud.

This article was last edited on 14th April 2007. The author can be contacted using the form below.