KMAN Publication Incorporation Interdisciplinary Studies in Society, Law, and Politics 3060-5687 5 Serial Number 17 2026 04 01 Intellectual Property in Space Tourism: Gaps in International Law and the Need for New Regulations Intellectual Property in Space Tourism: Gaps in International Law and the Need for New Regulations 1 12 10.61838/kman.isslp.391 EN Journal Article 2025 06 01 <p>Space tourism, as one of the emerging forms of commercial exploitation of outer space, has raised numerous challenges in the field of international law. Among the most significant of these challenges is the legal status of intellectual property concerning technologies, inventions, trademarks, and artistic works associated with such travel. While the core space law treaties — including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the 1979 Moon Agreement — establish fundamental principles such as the freedom of use and the concept of the “common heritage of humankind,” none directly addresses the issue of intellectual property rights. Likewise, the key instruments of the international intellectual property system, such as the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the conventions administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), lack specific provisions applicable to transnational situations in outer space. Consequently, at the intersection of these two legal systems, there are evident gaps that could lead to conflicts between the private interests of commercial enterprises and the principle of safeguarding the common interests of the international community. Through a comparative analysis of existing regulations and practices in the United States, the European Union, and international legal instruments, this article demonstrates that the current framework of international law is insufficient to address the emerging issues of intellectual property in space tourism and highlights the urgent need for the development of new, globally recognized rules.</p> https://journalisslp.com/index.php/isslp/article/download/391/709