The New York Times calls it a Rebel Outpost on the Fringes of Cyberspace. It’s going to be interesting to see how this shakes out. A group of libertarians has struck a financial deal with Roy Bates (a British businessman and former army major who has maintained that the abandoned antiaircraft bunker in international waters six miles off the coast of England of which he took possession in 1968 is the independent Principality of Sealand, and that he and his wife are its regents) to allow them to establish a “data haven” there for “a diverse

clientele that may wish to operate beyond the reach of large

nations for reasons of privacy or financial necessity. They

expect their customers to include people who wish to keep

their e-mail safe from government subpoenas as well as

other businesses seeking to avoid regulation, like

international electronic commerce, banking and gambling.” In other Sealand news, purported representatives of the principality “tried to

acquire arms worth at least $50 million from Russia, Spanish

authorities said Friday.” The investigation also revealed that Bates has commissioned a tailor to design battle uniforms for Sealand, “reserving one with the rank of Colonel for himself”, and that a vigorous trade in driver’s licenses, university degrees and passports from Sealand goes on. When investigated, those pursuing these activities have claimed diplomatic immunity for their actions.