The ownership of clones was a contested matter, with two main parties asserting control: the Galactic Republic and the Kaminoans.
Competing Claims of Ownership
The question of who legally owned the clones, specifically the clone troopers, led to differing perspectives during their operational existence. While they served the interests of one major power, their very creation by another led to a significant dispute over their legal status as property.
Here's a breakdown of the primary claims:
| Claiming Party | Basis for Ownership Claim |
|---|---|
| Galactic Republic | Under Republic law, clone troopers were considered property of the Galactic Republic. |
| Kaminoans | As their creators, having engineered them in the laboratories of Kamino, key figures like Nala Se held the position that the clones were Kaminoan property. |
The Galactic Republic's Stance
The Galactic Republic, as the primary beneficiary and employer of the clone troopers, maintained that these highly trained soldiers were their property under Republic law. This legal framework would have likely defined the clones as state assets, commissioned and utilized for the defense and enforcement of Republic decrees. Their extensive use across numerous battlefronts and their integration into the Republic's military structure solidified this viewpoint from the Republic's perspective.
The Kaminoan Perspective
In contrast, the Kaminoans, the reclusive but technologically advanced cloners of Kamino, held a different view. Their position, strongly articulated by individuals such as Nala Se, was that the clones were inherently Kaminoan property. This claim stemmed directly from their role as the creators of the clones, having genetically engineered and developed them within their advanced laboratories. From their perspective, the intensive research, development, and resources invested in producing these beings granted them proprietary rights, much like any other product or creation.
This dual claim highlights a fundamental conflict between a purchasing entity's legal ownership and a creator's asserted proprietary rights over their creation.
