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Questions tagged [property]

Use this for questions about belongings and possessions. See [real-estate] for questions about the possession of houses and buildings.

508 questions
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Stealing my own property back?

I have a guitar that I let my friend Joe borrow on the consensus that he would return it in a couple of days. Joe is a mutual friend of my ex Bob. Bob stole the guitar from Joe once he found out it was mine, and is now not allowing either me or Joe…
Jude
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In Los Angeles can I defend my own property against looters?

Currently, there is looting being done in Los Angeles by many people who are pretending to protest against the killing of George Floyd (some others are actually protesting and a few people are helping to stop looters). If someone were to loot my…
gerardus
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A Swiss watch company seized my watch, saying it was stolen. I bought it 10 years ago. Is that legal?

I have a watch from Blancpain that I bought in 2014 from an individual in Poland (I have a written contract). I've sent the watch to Blancpain in Switzerland for periodic inspection and they seized it, explaining the watch was stolen 10 years ago in…
Wojciech
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If I'm the CEO and largest shareholder of a public company, would taking anything from my office be considered as a theft?

To summarize it, I'll give an example: I'm Bill Gates. I own Microsoft. On a desk, there's a Microsoft Surface that is branded by my company. I decide to take it home and never bring it back, although I didn't buy it personally, and the company's…
John
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42
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2 answers

Is it a crime to take my own package from a delivery truck before it has reached my home?

Not that I would ever do this, but I'm curious: if I were to go into a stopped delivery truck and remove from it an item that is addressed to me, would this be a crime? If so what crime would it be? It seems to me that I would not be stealing…
CommaToast
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Pokémon Go hot spots and private property

As we all know Pokémon Go is all the rage. There have been reports that police stations are common hot spots for gyms and collections. Churches have also been a common hot spot. I think there is also a story where a man bought an old church and…
Mike
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36
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6 answers

Is it legal for a train company to create an art gallery using photographs of the graffiti on their locomotives and train cars?

I have been wondering that since a train company owns its locomotives and train cars, then I am assuming that this means that they own any graffiti that has been painted on their locomotives and train cars. I have recently read that it is illegal…
user39281
35
votes
3 answers

Can I get reimbursed if police shot the window of my car during a standoff?

My car was parked in the parking lot of a large chain grocery store, upon returning to my car I found the police in a standoff with a suspect with my vehicle right at the center. I asked if I could move my car but the officers got angry and started…
Flvsser
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34
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2 answers

Do the police have to kick someone out the house if the owner demands it?

I phoned the police to kick my in laws out the house after they started to take my furniture when they were only meant to take theirs (splitting up with wife). They came but refused to kick them out immediately and instead just waited until they had…
user607
34
votes
2 answers

What can I do if neighbor is blocking my solar panels intentionally?

I live on a 2.5 acre lot. I installed a ground mount solar array 6 years ago. Then 4 years later my neighbor planted over 39 tall cypress trees which are blocking the sunlight. Is there any law in Maryland that protects the solar owner?
Elaine
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34
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7 answers

If someone catches a Pokemon that is on my property, is that theft?

Does something that is virtually located on your property like in Pokemon GO incur any kind of property right for the property owner?
Mr. A
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33
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3 answers

What law governs shopping carts?

The title may sound a bit funny but it is something I spent a few hours thinking about during a recent car trip :) In my country in order to get a shopping cart, you have to insert a coin. When returning the cart, you get back the coin you had…
Yanick Salzmann
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27
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7 answers

What if a spacecraft lands on my property?

In December 2020 Hayabusa2, a Japanese space mission, returned samples from an asteroid to Earth, landing them in the Australian outback. Now, imagine a scenario where the samples accidentally land on someone's private property. Is that person…
AstroRP
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27
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3 answers

In the USA, do parents have the right to control their children's possessions?

Let's say a minor (17 or younger) living with his parents gets a job or does chores, and with the money thereby earned, buys a video game console. The parents decide that the console is not appropriate for the child and take it away. In fact, they…
ErikE
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Is there a cause of action for intentionally destroying a sand castle someone else has built on a public beach?

Person A went to a public beach early in the morning and spent 8 hours building a magnificent castle from sand. A had to dig out lots of sand, and overall it was really physically exhausting. The overall effect was wonderful though, the castle was…
Prolog
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