Many people wonder about the legal side of naming a star. Can you actually own a star? Is it legal to buy one? The good news is that naming a star is perfectly safe and meaningful — as long as you understand what you’re purchasing. Below, we’ll answer the most common legal questions about star naming.
Can a person or company legally own a star?
No individual or company can legally own a star. Stars and other celestial bodies are considered part of outer space, which is shared by everyone. When you buy a star dedication to name a star, you’re not buying physical ownership — you’re purchasing a gift that connects a name to a specific star in the night sky.
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What does the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 say about star ownership?
The Outer Space Treaty, signed by more than 100 countries, prevents any nation from claiming ownership of celestial bodies. This is why no one — not even governments — can sell or own stars. Star naming works within the law by offering everyone a special place in the universe with a symbolic dedication, not ownership.
👉 See the FAQ about star ownership
Is buying a star name a scam or illegal?
No. International Star Registry makes it very clear that you’re not purchasing scientific ownership. Instead, you’re receiving a dedication that’s beautifully recorded and presented as a keepsake gift. Millions of people have celebrated birthdays, weddings, and memorials this way since 1979. The are a member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and produce the only permanent published catalog of named stars in the world.
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What are you actually buying when you purchase a star name?
When you dedicate a star, you receive a package that includes a personalized star certificate, a star chart with coordinates, plus other items you may choose to add to your package. What you’re buying is the lasting emotional value of linking someone’s name with a star in the sky.
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Is it a problem if different companies sell the same star?
There are a number of overseas firms attempting to look like International Star Registry. Different companies may assign the same stars because they operate independently. The important thing is that your dedication is preserved by the company you purchase from. With the original star-naming company founded in 1979, you can be confident your dedication and published in a limited edition, hard cover book to be registered in the US Copyright Office within the Library of Congress.
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How can a company legally sell something it doesn’t own?
International Star Registry doesn’t sell stars themselves — they sell the service of dedicating a star name, recording it in a catalog, and providing you with keepsakes like certificates and charts. It’s a symbolic service, and completely legal.
👉 FAQ: What you’re really buying
Are there any laws that govern commercial star-naming services?
Yes. Like any business, star-naming companies follow consumer protection, copyright, and trademark laws. The dedication itself is a symbolic and eternal gift, which is why it doesn’t conflict with international space law.
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What is the difference between owning a star and owning a star name?
Owning a star is not legally possible. Owning a star name means you’ve made a symbolic dedication recorded in a catalog of named stars, along with keepsakes you can treasure or gift. The meaning and memory are what you “own.”
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Can a company prevent another company from using the same name for a star?
Not across the entire industry — but within its own catalog, yes. The name you choose will be permanently recorded and protected in International Star Registry’s copyrighted listing. This ensures your dedication will always remain intact.
👉 FAQ: How star names are recorded
Do commercial star names have legal protection?
The catalogs, certificates, and presentations are protected by copyright law. While the star itself isn’t “owned,” your star name and certificate are part of a copyrighted publication that preserves your dedication.
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Final Thoughts
Buying a star doesn’t give you physical ownership of space — but it does give you something far more meaningful: a timeless dedication that links someone’s name to a shining star in the sky. It’s a completely legal, safe, and unforgettable way to celebrate life’s most important moments.
👉 Start your star dedication today