Google’s notion for capturing the motion of the ocean — it’s not a plan, it’s just a patent. It’s mainly solving a technical problem (keeping servers powered and cool), not a political one. There was no suggestion that this would be “free from government interference,” though the article surmised that it would pay no “property estate” taxes.

Pulling up my standby copy of the Law of the Sea, I see that nations can claim sovereign rights up to 200 nautical miles out. The article suggests that the GoogleShips will be 7 miles out.

In all likelihood it would be taxed, and regulated, (and potentially litigated) to the same effect that other offshore ventures are, be they oil rigs or turbines.