The IAU frequently receives requests from individuals who want to buy star names or name stars after other persons.
Some commercial enterprises purport to offer such services for a fee.
For bodies in the Solar System , special procedures for assigning official names apply, but in no case are commercial transactions involved. Readers wanting to contact such enterprises despite the explanations given below should search commercial directories in their country of origin. In the past, certain such enterprises have suggested to customers that the IAU is somehow associated with, recognises, approves, or even actively collaborates in their business. The IAU wishes to make it totally clear that any such claim is patently false and unfounded. The IAU will appreciate being informed, with appropriate documentation, of all cases of illegal abuse of its name, and will pursue all documented cases by all available means.