A Chinese company that was prohibited from selling land on the
moon has lost its appeal of an earlier court ruling, the Beijing
News reported Saturday.
"Lunar Embassy to China," a Beijing-based company that was
selling plots of lunar land to individuals, sued the Beijing
Administration of Industry and Commerce which had revoked its
business license and fined it 50,000 yuan in October 2005.
The Haidian District People's Court ruled against the company in
Nov. 2005.
On Friday, the Beijing First Intermediate People's Court ruled
against the company's appeal, saying no individual or state could
claim ownership of the moon.
The court cited an international treaty that China signed in
1983. The treaty states that "outer space, including the moon and
other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by
claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by other
means... The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried
out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries."
Lijie, the company's CEO, offered to sell individuals ownership
of an acre of lunar land for 298 yuan. Within three days of opening
for business it was reported that 34 clients had bought 49 acres of
land, earning the company more than 14,000 yuan. There was no
indication if the company provided discounts to clients who bought
multiple plots.
(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2007)