A Legal History of Sealand

[Crazed Rabbit]

I know what you've been wanting to learn about: a detailed history of...

SEALAND
in relation to data havens and international law.


As Eugene mentioned in his introduction, I’ll be talking about my new article, Sealand, HavenCo, and the Rule of Law (SSRN, BePress). Thanks to Eugene and his co-Conspirators for having me here. I can’t think of a better group to discuss it with than VC readers, since it hits on themes including government power versus individual freedom, how technology is changing law, and the sometimes tenuous line between reality and science fiction.

In the article, I discuss the history and significance of HavenCo’s attempt in the early 2000s to set up a data haven on Sealand, a former anti-aircraft platform in the North Sea. A data haven is “the information equivalent to a tax haven”: a place to store your data that’s hopefully beyond the reach of any other country’s legal system. The best-known example of one is Kinakuta, from Neal Stephenson’s 1999 novel Cryptonomicon, about which more later in the week.

Part I: http://volokh.com/2011/02/14/sealand-and-havenco-part-i-the-history-of-sealand/

Part II: http://volokh.com/2011/02/15/sealand-and-havenco-part-ii-the-rise-and-fall-of-havenco/

Part III: http://volokh.com/2011/02/16/sealand-and-havenco-part-iii-why-did-havenco-fail/

Part IV: http://volokh.com/2011/02/17/sealand-and-havenco-part-iv-international-law-and-sealand-law/

Part V: http://volokh.com/2011/02/18/sealand-and-havenco-part-v-learning-from-havenco/

CR

[Beskar]

I haven't read the articles you linked yet, but there is absolutely no legal standing for 'Sealand'.

Sealand is an artificially made Fortress Island done by sinking a ship by the British. Britain later withdraw its forces from the island when some random guy decided to declare himself King of Sealand (who funnily enough, does not even live on 'Sealand'.) It is well within Britain's coastal waters and they hold sovereignty over the non-populated Island.

It doesn't even qualify under any definitions in the UN charter to be classed as a sovereign state and no state recognizes it. The only provision which comes close to the definition is when a German ambassador attempted to negotiate the release of Hostages taken on 'Sealand'.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I believe it wasn't within British waters when it was founded.

Part IV focuses on Sealand and international law.

CR

[HoreTore]

"Sealand" is the name of the main enemy country the Norwegian army fights against in invasion excercises.... Under the leadership of, if memory serves, Britney Spears and George Michael.

[InsaneApache]

I haven't read the articles you linked yet, but there is absolutely no legal standing for 'Sealand'.

Sealand is an artificially made Fortress Island done by sinking a ship by the British. Britain later withdraw its forces from the island when some random guy decided to declare himself King of Sealand (who funnily enough, does not even live on 'Sealand'.) It is well within Britain's coastal waters and they hold sovereignty over the non-populated Island.


It doesn't even qualify under any definitions in the UN charter to be classed as a sovereign state and no state recognizes it. The only provision which comes close to the definition is when a German ambassador attempt to negotiate the release of Hostages taken on 'Sealand'.
ROFLMFAO

[Beskar]

ROFLMFAO

It gets even worse than that.. this is a photograph of the "Principality of Sealand".
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/6365/earlysealand.jpg (https://img510.imageshack.us/i/earlysealand.jpg/)


However, I have to concede, I do like its Flag and Coat of Arms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

[drone]

Weren't we (the Org) going to organize a takeover of Sealand back in the day?

[InsaneApache]

Weren't we (the Org) going to organize a takeover of Sealand back in the day?

Indeed we did. :grin:

[Greyblades]

Then mollassia was invaded by tgwtg and invading micronations became old.