http://www.mosnews.com/news/2004/12/24/clouds.shtml

Russian Lawyer Privatizes Earth’s Clouds, Plans to Sue for Property
Damage

Created: 24.12.2004 17:01 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 17:01 MSK

MosNews

A Russian lawyer made his contribution to helping the environment when
he announced his privatization of all the clouds in the sky this week.

Vladimir Osipov, from the southern Russian town of Yeisk, showed up at
his local notary office in the Krasnoyarsk region with a document
affirming his ownership of all the clouds in the air over Earth, the
Novye Izvestia daily reported.

“As derelict natural resources originating on Earth, not belonging at
this point to any government or person, are my property,” he declared
in the document, which he is sending out to the governments of 150
countries.

But while privatization is often associated in Russia with shady
schemes to make off with as much as possible before the next strongman
takes it away from you, Osipov has privatized the clouds with more
noble intentions. He will use his property rights to sue anybody who
pollutes the atmosphere.

As the rightful owner, Osipov intends to sue anyone for damaging
property that belongs to him. He has no intention, however, to trade in
precipitation.