[manmeet]

I would imagine that companies and people would also be prohibited from making these claims.

But I do believe that is going to be ineffective for the future. Progress would be very slow if there is nothing to claim on Mars, or another celestial body for that manner.

A very interesting discussion, as I do see this treaty changing in the future, but whether it will be country oriented or market oriented will be the big question that defines humanity's voyage outside earth

[barney54]

The Moon Treaty explicitly forbade private property on the moon, but by implication it means that private property is still possible under the Outer Space Treaty.

Also, the United States did not ratify the Moon Treaty. It is in force for the 13 signatory nations, but none are space powers.

More: http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a3358/426432...

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1025529