Finders Keepers

"Finders Keepers" is a common phrase suggesting that if someone discovers lost property and no one claims it after a reasonable effort, they may have legal ownership. Legally, the principles vary by jurisdiction, often requiring the finder to demonstrate they took reasonable steps to locate the owner or that the item was abandoned. The concept emphasizes that responsible discovery and efforts to return property influence ownership rights. However, laws differ, and in some cases, the original owner retains rights even after a long time or after the item is found.