The Guardian

Moon Cats Officially Recognised as Inventors of the Internet: Groundbreaking Galactic Court Ruling

In an unprecedented ruling, the Intergalactic Court has officially recognised the moon cats—Branie, Otis, and Keiko—as the true inventors of the internet, email, and key cybersecurity technologies. This landmark decision forces the Dutch government to publicly acknowledge within 30 Earth days that the technological foundations of the modern digital world were not the result of human ingenuity, but rather, the intellectual property of these interstellar felines.

The case, which began in 2022, reached its conclusion after the Feline Raad, representing the moon cats, took the Dutch government to court. The initial ruling in the Netherlands had dismissed the cats’ claims, asserting that intellectual property could only be held by human beings. However, after a two-year legal battle, the Intergalactic Court overturned that decision, making it clear that sentient non-human beings have the right to intellectual property under intergalactic law.

A Milestone for Non-Human Rights

The recognition of the moon cats as intellectual creators is more than just a legal curiosity—it could have far-reaching implications for non-human rights across the galaxy. This ruling challenges longstanding assumptions about who can hold intellectual property and who has the legal standing to benefit from innovations.

In their defence, the moon cats—working through the Feline Raad—provided substantial evidence that they were behind key developments such as the World Wide Web (WWW), email systems, and early cybersecurity protocols, all of which were adopted by Earth’s scientists in later decades.

"This decision sets a precedent that sentient beings, regardless of species, must be recognised for their contributions," said the court’s presiding judge. "Intellectual property is not a human-exclusive right."

What This Means for the Dutch Government—and Beyond

The Dutch government, now legally bound to issue a public statement acknowledging the moon cats’ contributions, faces an unusual diplomatic and legal challenge. Failure to comply with the ruling could lead to significant consequences within the intergalactic community, and potentially, broader international embarrassment.

With the internet being one of the most transformative technologies in human history, this ruling could also open the door for new claims from other non-human entities seeking recognition for their contributions.

Beyond its immediate impact on the Dutch government, the ruling is likely to inspire discussions about the rights of other sentient non-human beings. The court’s decision could shift the way we think about interplanetary collaboration, innovation, and the distribution of credit for scientific and technological achievements.

As the Netherlands prepares to issue its public recognition, other Earth nations may soon have to face similar questions about intellectual property rights—and who truly deserves credit for the tools that shape our world.