Lawmericks

Hardy v. Burroughs

2006-02-21T19:29:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Michigan, 1930
232 N.W. 200
Property

Hardy built Burroughs a dwelling,
To whom they'd intended no selling.
They wanted to reap it
But court chose to keep it
At equity, payment compelling.

Isle Royale Mining Company v. Hertin

2006-02-21T19:28:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Michigan, 1877
37 Mich. 332
Property

The plaintiffs mistakenly wandered,
So rights by accession were pondered.
And just like the last case,
This chopped wood they did trace--
But investments this small can be squandered.

Wetherbee v. Green

2006-02-21T19:26:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Michigan, 1871
22 Mich. 311
Property

Defendant saw hoops in the makin',
But his right to the wood was mistaken.
But the law has approved him
Just 'cause he'd improved them;
His labor he had too much stake in.

Tapscott v. Cobbs

2006-02-21T19:25:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia, 1854
52 Va. 172
Property

The plaintiff's possession of land
Was challenged on Tapscott's demand.
But this court appelative
Said title is relative,
And Tapscott's defense was thus canned.

Russell v. Hill

2006-02-21T19:23:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1900
34 S.E. 640
Property

A North Carolina defendant
Can be on jus tertii dependent.
The only good action
Will come from no faction
Besides the True Owner, resplendent.

Anderson v. Gouldberg

2006-02-21T19:20:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Minnesota, 1892
53 N.W. 636
Property

The plaintiffs had stolen some wood,
And defendants took more than they should.
"The last wrongful getter
Has title no better,"
And the court for the plaintiffs so stood.

Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co.

2006-02-20T13:51:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of the United States, 1991
499 U.S. 340
Property

A phone book had left plaintiffs crying;
It ripped off their listings through spying.
But Rural's collection
Does not get protection;
One cannot own facts underlying.

Jordache Enterprises, Inc. v. Hogg Wyld Ltd.

2006-02-20T13:49:00.000-06:00

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 1987
828 F.2d 1482
Property

Jordache's trademark was prone,
And "Lardashe" they could not condone.
The court said, with clarity,
That this was a parody!
The defendants could reap what they'd "sow"n.

Hanover Star Milling Company v. Metcalf

2006-02-14T16:34:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of the United States, 1916
240 U.S. 403
Property

The "Tea Rose" trademark (used for flour):
A more popular name by the hour.
I really can't state what
Made that name so great, but
They all wanted exclusive power.

Eldred v. Ashcroft

2006-02-13T17:11:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of the United States, 2003
123 S. Ct. 769
Property

The copyright term was expiring,
So Congress, the system rewiring,
Extended the period,
Preventing a myriad
Of authors' estates from perspiring.

Baker v. Selden

2006-02-13T16:37:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of the United States, 1879
101 U.S. 99
Property

Selden was teaching book-keeping,
And Baker his copyright reaping.
But the Art Selden wielded
Was not at all shielded;
Our copyright law left him weeping.

Albinger v. Harris

2006-02-11T18:22:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Montana, 2002
48 P.3d 711
Property

A love story of violence and turmoil
Turned nasty, and both claimed the spoil.
He threatened her finger
To get at her ring-er,
That it was a gift was his foil.

Lindh v. Surman

2006-02-11T18:21:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1999
742 A.2d 643
Property

Janis commited to Rodger,
Who later committed to dodge her.
She wanted the ring,
But it wasn't her bling,
So the court sent it back to the codger.

In re Estate of Smith

2006-02-11T18:20:00.000-06:00

Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1997
694 A.2d 1099
Property

Alf thought his life wasn't working.
The desire to end it was lurking.
Four checks were left nigh
With an option to buy;
It was only his wife he was irking.

Gruen v. Gruen

2006-02-11T18:19:00.000-06:00

Court of Appeals of New York, 1986
496 N.E.2d 869
Property

To determine precisely what's gifted,
A court through the elements sifted.
Acceptance! Intent!
It just wasn't sent,
'Til Father to Heaven was lifted.

Simpson v. Simpson

2006-02-11T18:17:00.000-06:00

District Court of Appeals of Florida, 1998
723 So. 2d 326
Property

There was a dead dad with a gun,
Which had been a "gift" to his son.
"It's what father's do.
You know you would, too."
But, deliv'ry lacking, Mom won.

Charles Evans BMW, Inc. v. Williams

2006-02-11T18:14:00.000-06:00

Court of Appeals of Georgia, 1990
395 S.E.2d 650
Property

In Georgia there was a car buyer,
Who turned out to be a good liar.
He turned 'round and sold it,
The court had to hold it
Protected new owners' desire.

Kotis v. Nowlin Jewelry, Inc.

2006-02-11T18:13:00.000-06:00

Court of Appeals of Texas, 1992
844 S.W.2d 920
Property

Ed Kotis enjoys ladies' watches,
But his rep has gone down a few notches.
He bought from Steve Sitton,
Who had bad checks written;
His "bona fide" status he botches.

Shamrock Hilton Hotel v. Caranas

2006-02-11T18:11:00.000-06:00

Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, 1972
488 S.W.2d 151
Property

When one in a purse keeps her jewel,
(A practice befitting a fool),
A hotel can not lose it,
For if she then sues it,
Courts, finding bailment, will rule.

First American Bank, N.A. v. District of Columbia

2006-02-11T18:08:00.000-06:00

District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 1990
583 A.2d 993
Property

A car, parked all over the road,
Contained bags of money when towed.
This unfortunate tale meant
A mutual bailment.
A duty of care was thus owed.

Popov v. Hayashi

2006-02-11T18:05:00.000-06:00

Superior Court, San Francisco County, 2002
2002 2002 WL 31833731
Property

When Barry reached home run perfection,
A fan fought another's deflection.
The courts then decided
The ball'd be divided
And added to neither's collection.

Columbus-America Discovery Group v. Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co.

2006-02-09T12:48:00.000-06:00

United States Supreme Court for the Fourt Circuit, 1992
974 F. 2d 450
Property

A poor cargo ship sank like lead,
Leaving one billion dollars in red.
They claimed they had planned in
No loss nor abandon, an'
Argued for salvage instead.

Morgan v. Wiser

2006-02-09T12:20:00.000-06:00

Court of Appeals of Tennessee, 1985
711 S.W. 2d 220
Property

Some trespassers found, to their pleasure,
A cache of gold coins beyond measure!
But ignoring--the fools--
The common law rules,
The court deprived them of their treasure.

Hannah v. Peel

2006-02-09T12:09:00.000-06:00

King's Bench Division, 1945
1945 K.B. 509
Property

There was a soldier who, while hurtin',
Decided to straighten his curtain.
Out came a brooch,
And though not one to mooch,
The court thought his ownership certain.

South Staffordshire Water Co. v. Sharman

2006-02-09T11:41:00.000-06:00

Queen's Bench Division, 1896
2 Q.B. 44
Property

There once was a young pool cleaner,
Whose eyes had not ever been keener.
He found some gold ringage,
But it wasn't his blingage;
The land had a private demeanor.

Bridges v. Hawkesworth

2006-02-09T11:39:00.000-06:00

Court of Queen's Bench, 1851
91 Rev. Rep. 850
Property

A dispute arose over some dough,
With the owner des locus in quo.
A distinction was made:
"It was lost, not mislaid!
To the finder it must therefore go."

Armory v. Delamirie

2006-02-09T11:29:00.000-06:00

Court of King's Bench, 1722
93 Eng. Rep. 664
Property

There once was a young chimney sweeper,
Who found a nice jewel--a keeper,
A goldsmith withheld it,
And 'cause he had dealt it,
They forced him to pay a price steeper.

Wood v. Wood

2006-02-09T11:25:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Colorado, 1947
183 P.2d 889
Property

There was a young man so forlorn,
He forgot to reserve all his corn.
His wife thought it deeded,
But the trial court heeded
That it was all set to be shorn.

O'Keeffe v. Snyder

2006-02-02T01:49:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of New Jersey, 1980
416 A.2d 862
Property

O'Keeffe brought a suit to replevy
Three paintings (she painted a bevy).
A bona fide purchase
Apparently lurches
When painters their wares seek to levy.

Halpern v. Lacy Investment Corporation

2006-02-02T01:35:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Georgia 1989
259 Ga. 264, 379 S.E.2d 519
Property

The Washington courts are not binding;
And that's why in Georgia they're finding
That Good Faith possession's
Important to question--
So, too, jurisdiction reminding.

ITT Rayonier, Inc. v. Bell

2006-02-02T01:30:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Washington, 1989
774 P.2d 6
Property

Yet again about adverse possession:
One's land can become a concession.
Good faith does not matter;
The property ladder
Can fall with through a hostile transgression.

Bullock v. Carter

2006-02-02T00:53:00.000-06:00

United States Supreme Court, 1972
405 U.S. 134 (1972)
Legal Process

In order to get on the ballot,
One's paperwork had to be valid,
Including some fees
So much higher than trees,
They were held constitution'ly squalid.

Burdick v. Takushi

2006-02-02T00:44:00.000-06:00

United States Supreme Court, 1992
504 U.S. 428 (1992)
Legal Process

A Hawaiian wanted to write-in,
But the State took the challenge to fight him,
The court said "The case's
Quite rational basis is
[misguided but] plenty invitin'!"

Mannillo v. Gorski

2006-02-01T16:08:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of New Jersey, 1969
255 A.2d 258
Property

The plaintiffs were acting as grinches
Over adverse possession of inches.
T'was no hostile intent,
Nor bad faith to resent,
But Mistake the defendant's case clinches.

Howard v. Kunto

2006-02-01T15:59:00.000-06:00

Court of Appeals of Washington, 1970
477 P.2d 210
Property

The Kuntos held 50 feet hither,
But their deed described 50 feet thither.
But with adverse possession
And ten-year secession,
Land rights (though recorded) can wither.

Gomillion v. Lightfoot

2006-02-01T14:19:00.000-06:00

United States Supreme Court, 1960
364 U.S. 339
Legal Process

A recalcitrant, sore legislature
Drew city lines racist by nature.
The rights they interred were
Enough for Frankfurter
To wield his all-mighty stature.

L. Albert & Son v. Armstrong Rubber Co.

2006-02-01T10:22:00.000-06:00

United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, 1949
178 F.2d 182
Contracts I

Though deliv'ry was never completed,
They'd already built bases concreted.
"To unlock the appliance
They spent cash in reliance,"
Said Learned Hand (often repeated).

CompuServe v. Cyber Promotions, Inc.

2006-01-30T23:55:00.000-06:00

United States District Court, S.D. Ohio, 1997
962 F. Supp. 1015
Property

Their users were terribly spammèd,
Resulting in servers quite jammèd,
They treated this prattle
Like trespass to chattel,
And now spam's supposedly damnèd.

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. v. Village of Stratton

2006-01-30T23:51:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of the United States, 2002
536 U.S. 150
Property

The Witnesses needed permission
To uphold their pious tradition.
But free speech law applied
And the ordinance died,
Despite Rehnquist's tales of perdition.

Adams v. Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company

2006-01-30T16:51:00.000-06:00

Court of Appeals of Michigan, 1999
602 N.W.2d 215
Property

There once was a case of iron mining,
With property values declining.
The plaintiffs cried, "Trespass!"
But did not the court's test pass,
Instead tort of nuisance defining.

Jacque v. Steenberg Homes, Inc.

2006-01-30T16:49:00.000-06:00

Supreme Court of Wisconsin, 1997
563 N.W.2d 154
Property

Their novel deliv'ry solution
Abridged the Jacques' right of exclusion
But the court, not so sordid,
Upheld what's awarded,
To prevent that right's foul dilution.