legal rights to a 'found' item

jgold47 · Nov 24, 2009

lets say I found something in a parking lot where there was no reasonable way to associate the item with a particular store. a mall parking lot for example, or a vacant building. What are my rights to the item? Finders Keepers? now, what if there is a way to track the item, both forward and reverse, and say down the line someone comes looking for it?

I found an Ipod in a parking lot, but before I plug it into itunes, I want to know if its mine if they use itunes to track it back?

Jumbie · Nov 24, 2009

I would assume that if there is no way to trace the item and no one claims it then finder's keepers.

However, even if the item is legally yours and they can use iTunes to track it (I don't think this is possible although I know the iPhone has some kind of tracking; possibly through an app) then it would be a dick move to keep it.

It still burns me to this day that I didn't get so much as a thank you (ungrateful bastards) that a couple years ago I found a wallet in the parking lot with several hundred dollars in it and drove a couple miles out of my way to return it. Was near to Christmas and was snowing which annoys me even more however I still do it if ever in such a situation again.

Obviously not the same scenario but I think the principle of the matter still holds. What if it were your iPod and you were able to trace it and the person says "Finders keepers. Too bad, so sad."

scarphe · Nov 24, 2009

ig you are worried abotu it being tracked by big brother though i doubt he can yet. proepar everyting and whe you are abotu plug in the ipod simply take ou computer off the internet load the soang files etc and do nto charge it from your computer. thoseactiosn should stop big brother from findign you.

munchausen · Nov 24, 2009

http://lawschool.mikeshecket.com/pro...ersonvpost.htm

jgold47 · Nov 24, 2009

Originally Posted by Jumbie

I would assume that if there is no way to trace the item and no one claims it then finder's keepers.

However, even if the item is legally yours and they can use iTunes to track it (I don't think this is possible although I know the iPhone has some kind of tracking; possibly through an app) then it would be a dick move to keep it.

It still burns me to this day that I didn't get so much as a thank you (ungrateful bastards) that a couple years ago I found a wallet in the parking lot with several hundred dollars in it and drove a couple miles out of my way to return it. Was near to Christmas and was snowing which annoys me even more however I still do it if ever in such a situation again.

Obviously not the same scenario but I think the principle of the matter still holds. What if it were your iPod and you were able to trace it and the person says "Finders keepers. Too bad, so sad."

Jumbie - well put. Sometimes I am a bad person. Not sure what I will do. I have been reading up on this particular issue, and it seems that Apple which is the only person with the ability to look up Ipod ownership (and then only if it was either a) registered or b) used to purchase on itunes), is notorious for not helping people (why should they, you will go buy a new device). I will contemplate this over the weekend before doing anything with it.

JohnGalt · Nov 24, 2009

Bring it to the police as a found item. If it goes unclaimed it is yours.

IUtoSLU · Nov 24, 2009

Found on public property - a found item that has been unintentionally lost/dropped/etc belongs first to the original/true owner that misplaced it, and second to the finder. If it is traceable or if you can find the original/true owner, you should return it to them. You should probably bring it to the police, as suggested above. If unclaimed, it may become yours.

munchausen · Nov 24, 2009

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

Bring it to the police as a found item. If it goes unclaimed it is yours.

lol. Yeah right. Cop gets a new iPod, and you don't even get a thank you.

CDFS · Nov 24, 2009

Attachment 33581

HEWSINATOR · Nov 24, 2009

Ohh, the wonderful world of finders law. Rely on wikipedia at own risk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost,_m...doned_property Things get fuzzier when the property is found not on public land, but private property. See Trachuk v. Olinek A Canadian case where they find cash on a lease site (IIRC).

sho'nuff · Nov 24, 2009

Originally Posted by Jumbie

It still burns me to this day that I didn't get so much as a thank you (ungrateful bastards) that a couple years ago I found a wallet in the parking lot with several hundred dollars in it and drove a couple miles out of my way to return it. Was near to Christmas and was snowing which annoys me even more however I still do it if ever in such a situation again.

you did the right thing. i dont know if this helps and im sure you already know , but not because they are class people, but because you are, no matter what their classless responses would be to you, thanks or no thanks. dont let it burn you. im sure your kid or nephew or someone would take that story and grow from it and think

of you.

Jumbie · Nov 24, 2009

^ cheers

I didn't do it for the thanks. I guess I just sort of expected it and can't get over the fact that someone wouldn't have the courtesy to say thank you to a complete stranger who did them a good deed.

bigboy · Nov 24, 2009

Usually these things can be traced back to the rightful owner using DNA fingerprinting analysis.

What do you need with a used condom anyway?

nerdykarim · Nov 24, 2009

Originally Posted by munchausen

http://lawschool.mikeshecket.com/pro...ersonvpost.htm
don't remind me...

Toiletduck · Nov 25, 2009

I have returned 2 handphones, 1 blackberry in the past 3 years.

Its the bloody right thing to do! **** you bitches who don't return handphones when you find them.

legal rights to a 'found' item

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