[bojan]

Originally Posted by sjastro

I imagine the economic exploitation of Mars would require territorial claims being made which is strictly forbidden by the Outer Space treaty of 1967.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty

Regards

Steven

The moment they figure out the treaty is in the way of their business, "they" will pronounce it invalid. Or "they" will will find the ways how to circumvent it ("scientific mining"? why not?)