>It does feel somewhat unfair, but it's long-settled law on stolen goods: if you buy a car and it turns out to be stolen, or a house with an improper title, you

>It does feel somewhat unfair, but it's long-settled law on stolen goods: if you buy a car and it turns out to be stolen, or a house with an improper title, you don't get to keep it. I agree with your first line, but wanted to nitpick the legal statement. That's not the law on passage of title. Things are a whole lot more complicated than that. The rules are jurisdiction specific and civilian and common law systems deal with this issue differently. Historical common law treats property as a series of tiered claims, not as a singular entitlement. Sometimes there are brightline rules regarding registration requirements. Sometimes there are multiple sale good faith caveats. Sometimes there are confounding evidence requirements. etc. Generally speaking, you never get to keep the item if you knew or ought to have known it was fishy. Beyond that, things vary.