Have you bought a plot on the moon yet?

You might want to hold off on that. According to Discover magazine, Dennis Hope, who runs Lunar Embassy will sell you a plot on the moon for $19.99 plus tax because of a loop-hole in the 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty. This treaty prohibits nations from owning the moon, however he claims that it does not prohibit individuals. Ram Jakuh, a law professor at the Institute of Air and Space Law at McGill University in Toronto states that the moon is common property of the international community so individuals, like nations cannot own it. He states, "No one owns the moon. No one can own any property in outer space." The U.N.'s treaty states that the state (or nation) has jurisdiction over any individuals rights. In other words, if you claim you own the land where a nation wants to place a space station, you forfeit you claim. Dennis Hope has made $9 million selling plots on the moon and plans to sell more. Although it is up to you if you want to give him your hard earned $20, I would rather spend it on myself like going to a movie or dinner. Their web site is http://www.lunarembassy.com/. Through this site you can also purchase property on Mars, Venus, Io, and Mercury. You can purchase domain names on the Extra Terrestrial Internet as well. Can we say hoax? What gets me is the people who have actually purchased plots. The article names, Barbara Walters, George Lucas, Ronald Regan and first President Bush. Although some people might just think that it's "cool" to own a piece of the moon, I can't believe that 4.25+ million people has made one man a multi-millionaire. Although I don't think that the law would ever make him return any of the monies, let's hope someone can shut him down quickly. Now it's your turn to decide. Mr. Hope claims that he is not exploiting anything, however he does state that the treaty does not allow for the "exploitation of the Moon and other celestial bodies for profit purposes." I have one question, isn't this the same thing? Check out this web site before you decide. http://www.lunarregistry.com/info/embassy.shtml