Company to sue for right to sell lunar land
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-12-07 21:35

Some people regarded the company as a farce.

"The closedown of such a lunar embassy is predictable, as it tries to sell something it does not own," a netizen remarked.

"Selling land on the moon? How ridiculous! Will it be possible for anyone to recognize such a title deed?" Mr. Wang, a Beijing citizen was quoted by Beijing Daily as saying.

"I have just bought an acre on the moon and sent it to a friend,now it becomes a dud check. I am befooled," said Mr. Liu, a customer of Li's company.

However, Mr. Liu, a proponent who bought three acres said, "People can buy a ticket to a pop star's concert with 1,000 US dollars, why can't they buy land on the moon to get the same spiritual satisfaction? Now I can joke with young people by sayingI can offer you a piece of land on the moon."

After the closedown, Li's company was trapped in a financial crisis. "I am ready to set up a center helping people get rid of smoking," Li said.

Li's company was registered on Sept. 5 and became operational on Oct. 19. It claimed that one can buy an acre on the moon for 298 yuan (37 US dollars) through its service. It issued customers a "title deed" that ensured property ownership including the rights to use the land and minerals up to three kilometers underground.

Thirty-three clients bought 48 acres of land on the moon in the first three days after the company started operation. The deals involved more than 14,000 yuan (1,700 US dollars), according to findings of the Chaoyang District Branch of the Beijing Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce.