Q: Is it possible to claim legal ownership over all the dark matter in this universe?

I know I'm going to sound crazy on this one. I have been seeing a lot of celebrities buying acres of land on the moon, and it got me wondering if there is any possible way for one entity - albeit a company or a country - to claim ownership over all the dark matter/energy in this universe? Can there be some form of an international agreement of legal purchase over dark matter/energy? If there is one, what steps should I take? Thanks.

3 Lawyer Answers
Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
Answered
  • New York, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: There is a minute of my life I'll never get back. Seriously, all space issues are governed by UN treaty, so no.

1 user found this answer helpful

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
Answered
  • International Law Lawyer
  • Potomac, MD

A: Well, the law of this is a bit fuzzy, but there are many precedents which I will refrain from citing until I'm retained. But, you could take title from the Creator himself, as Moses did, and thereby rely upon your title deed by Roman law of dominium by subjugating and defending the dark matter that you may possess. If the dark matter is ownerless, Roman law would also provide for an action in occupatio by the first person to take actual possession of each parcel of it as ownerless. You may need to wait until you get your own large hadron collider and it discovers some of the dark matter, and then you might move your recreational vehicle on it before filing a claim in the Roman Imperial Courts. Alternatively, Act of War has had a more modern effect on possessory rights, though those rights tend to be possessory rather than Romantic, dominium rights. In other words, like the Israelis and the Arabs, you may find that prior possessors and claimants deriving from them keep coming back to claim their "prior" rights. But, your first step there would be to move your army on to the dark matter and defend it against all claimants. You might first act to dispossess the international celebrities also possessing heavenly objects. Just remember before getting violent on this planet that your war for possession must be at the site you are claiming. You and the celebrities must plant your flags on the moon or in the dark matter, then assemble your recreational vehicles and armaments there. We've had quite enough gun violence here, thank you.

Once you've established dominium, invite me over for a scotch. I like single malts from Islay.

Gee, and Mr. Siegel only wasted a minute of his life. Sheesh.

Barry E. Janay agrees with this answer

1 user found this answer helpful

Barry E. Janay
PREMIUM
Barry E. Janay pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Livingston, NJ
  • Licensed in New York

A: I actually am the deed owner of said dark matter, I got it at a foreclosure sale in Queens, NY a few years back.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.