So, if you throw away a lottery ticket, you still own it?

[markw]

"SEARCY, Ark. — An Arkansas woman who cashed a $1 million lottery ticket (she picked out of the garbage) may have to give up the winnings to a woman who threw away the ticket after she bought it, according to a judge's ruling Tuesday."

See HERE for the full story.

This does pose some interesting questions:

If I throw out an ugly sculpture and someone takes it off the street and finds out it's a valuable piece of art and sells it for an astronomical sum, do I get to claim that money?

How about if I buy some McItosh gear from some rubes at a garage sale for $20 and flip it for $6,000, do I have to turn that money over, too?

P.S. Still haven't tried another McMuffin. Tomorrow perhaps. I try to not eat them too often. Don't even get me going on McRibs

 

[gmichael]

If you try another McMuffin, don't like it and throw it away, can you reclaim it?

 

[markw]

If you try another McMuffin, don't like it and throw it away, can you reclaim it?

Who knows? I certainly wouldn't even try. Now, if you picked it up and started eating it, would I be leagally able to make you pay for it?

 

[gmichael]

Who knows? I certainly wouldn't even try. Now, if you picked it up and started eating it, would I be leagally able to make you pay for it?

I'd just give it back.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

 

[Rickster71]

Oh sure...just toy with his feelings like that.

 

[markw]

You're a cruel, cruel man, Doug.

 

[jinjuku]

Didn't she toss the ticket because the machine that is supposed to let you know if you have a winner issue negative result on a winning ticket?

If that is the case then I think the original owner would be the rightful owner:

Simpson noted that Duncan testified she threw away the ticket after the read-out on a ticket scanner said, "Sorry. Not a winner."

Now the question becomes did the machine screw up (entirely possible).

 

[markw]

Didn't she toss the ticket because the machine that is supposed to let you know if you have a winner issue negative result on a winning ticket?

If that is the case then I think the original owner would be the rightful owner:

Simpson noted that Duncan testified she threw away the ticket after the read-out on a ticket scanner said, "Sorry. Not a winner."

Now the question becomes did the machine screw up (entirely possible).

I read that, too. In such case, I believe the one who owns the faulty machine* should have to come up with the original ticket-holders money, not the poor schlep who had the forethought to second-guess it and check the numbers manually.

* be it the store or the lottery commission.