Subjects:

Air & Space Law

Contents:

Introductory remarks, K.-H. Bockstiegel

financing space research and inventions, C.S. Dubin

micro-gravity experiments in Japan, H. Suzuki

aspects contractuels des operations en micro-gravite, J.-P. Raynaud

aspects of contracts involving research centres, C.H. Moehlenhof

rights and obligations of participants in space-materials processing activities, P.D. Nesgos

commercial use of space in Europe - from a matter of independence to a matter of business, J.-P. Fouquet and J.Y. Le Gall

evolution of US commercial space policies and procedures, E.A. Frankle

liability regulations applicable to research and invention in outer space and their commercial exploitation, Bin Cheng

legal liability arising from commercial activities in outer space, I. Awford

recent developments in space-law litigation, L.S. Kaplan

issues arising in determining the legal regime applicable to intellectual property rights in outer space, S. Mosteshar

issues of intellectual property in relation to research and invention in outer space - European Community perspective, D. Staunder

the European Space Agency - intellectual property rights and international co-operation / l'Agence Spatiale Europeenne - propriete intellectuelle et cooperation internationale, A.M. Balsano

intellectual property rights with respect to inventions created in space, O. Vorobieva

research and invention in outer space and their commercial exploitation - liability and intellectual property rights, S. Mosteshar

intellectual property issues in space activities, S. Mosteshar

Appendix 1 - Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies

Appendix 2 - Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space

Appendix 3 - Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects

Appendix 4 - Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space

Appendix 5 - Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies

Appendix 6 - Agreement among the Government of the United States of America, Governments of Member States of the European Space Agency, the Government of Japan, and the Government of Canada on Cooperation in the Detailed Design, Development, Operation and Utilisation of the Permanently Manned Civil Space Station.

Outer space affords a unique physical environment in which to conduct experiments, and its most widely appreciated characteristic is that of microgravity. Outer space also provides a sterile setting not easily or inexpensively achievable on Earth. The electromagnetic and radiation levels too differ significantly from those on Earth.

These and other natural attributes of outer space make it a potentially attractive environment for the conduct of experiments, which will lead to inventions in a wide range of high-technology fields.;This unique environment is increasingly accessible to experimenters and inventors at costs which are commercially attractive. The Mir Space Station as well as NASA Shuttle Flights already provide opportunities for experiments to be conducted in outer space. When the Multi-National Space Station is established there will be even greater numbers of experiments and research projects conducted there. Outer space also presents a unique legal environment for these activities.

This book sheds light on the incidental legal questions that arise. Based on the papers presented at a conference on the topic in Paris, the book examines patentability and intellectual-property infringement, as well as contractual issues and related topics. Also included are papers on the liabilities that arise out of activities in outer space, the relevant jurisdictional considerations, and the growing commercialization of space activities in the United States and in Europe.