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Constitutional Law

Aug. 11, 2009

Card Sharks

New laws aimed at reclaiming "abandoned" gift cards raise serious concerns about the definition of private property, write Donald J. Kochan and Ryan O'Dea.

FORUM COLUMN

By Donald J. Kochan and Ryan O'Dea

Gift cards have become a favorite way of shopping, especially for convenience and the "difficult to shop for" solution. Generous gift-givers in many states, however, may need to start writing another name on the gift tag, as states begin to claim title to unused or what they proclaim are "abandoned" gift cards.

Now, if we have $50 in cash in our wallets or stowed away in a shoebox under our b...

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