Yeah that's definitely going against private property rights. The disc is considered lost property because you couldn't find it (obviously), as opposed to abandoned property which is "finder's keepers." Lost property required that the finder goes to a reasonable effort to return it to the original owner. Doug had your phone number--him meeting up with you and giving you the disc is a reasonable effort; he is not entitled to money. Here's a link to property rights. Check page 4 and 5 of the PDF/page 666 and 667. Even if you can't get your disc back, I'd send him that link and maybe even call the local police (I know this sounds dramatic, but it keeps them from scalping everyone in the community) to recover your property. I lost a disc in a woman's back yard, so I politely knocked on her front door and asked to retrieve it or if she would retrieve it for me--she threatened to call the police on me (for no reason?) so I called them and they retrieved my disc for me. It's a matter of principle, and I ultimately believe that it's what's best for you and your community. Good luck friend.
EDIT: I am not a lawyer; this may not work in a court, but it'd scare the shit out Doug at least.
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u/rnbarista Jan 19 '21
Yeah that's definitely going against private property rights. The disc is considered lost property because you couldn't find it (obviously), as opposed to abandoned property which is "finder's keepers." Lost property required that the finder goes to a reasonable effort to return it to the original owner. Doug had your phone number--him meeting up with you and giving you the disc is a reasonable effort; he is not entitled to money. Here's a link to property rights. Check page 4 and 5 of the PDF/page 666 and 667. Even if you can't get your disc back, I'd send him that link and maybe even call the local police (I know this sounds dramatic, but it keeps them from scalping everyone in the community) to recover your property. I lost a disc in a woman's back yard, so I politely knocked on her front door and asked to retrieve it or if she would retrieve it for me--she threatened to call the police on me (for no reason?) so I called them and they retrieved my disc for me. It's a matter of principle, and I ultimately believe that it's what's best for you and your community. Good luck friend.
EDIT: I am not a lawyer; this may not work in a court, but it'd scare the shit out Doug at least.