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Mystery Woman Recycles $200,000 Apple I Computer
Dave Knott writes: A recycling centre in the Silicon Valley is looking for a woman who dropped off an old computer for recycling. The computer was apparently inside boxes of electronics that she had cleaned out from her garage after her husband died. This would be nothing unusual, except that the recycled computer was an Apple I. The recycling firm eventually sold the Apple I for $200,000 to a private collection, and because the company gives 50 per cent of the proceeds from sold items back to the original owner, they wish to split the proceeds with the mystery donor.
People tend to forget they killed everyone for doing that.
Because that is what you would do?
It, and everything else, are worth exactly what people are willing to pay for them.
Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
Actually, they rather are, and this story even taken at face value is prime example of that. It's clear the woman didn't mean to throw away $200.000; if not otherwise obvious, not even sticking out for her $100.000 half makes that quite sure. But no, that was not enough for them, additonally they're trying to milk what is basically misappropriation for the most PR they can, publishing to media that they're actually trying to do the least they're obliged to do... Which is good for them, because otherwise some uncomfortable questions might get asked about where they got that $100.000 and is it legal. Makes me wonder if there's specific case law for this kind of thing though, pretty sure it's happened before, and some people are likely to take it to court instead of accepting the involuntary donation. I guess best I don't have an opinion on which way it SHOULD go, but if talking about heartless monsters, I think this story sort of qualifies...
Makes me wonder if there's specific case law for this kind of thing though, pretty sure it's happened before, and some people are likely to take it to court instead of accepting the involuntary donation
There is plenty of case law precedent to prevent her from successfully wining anything. She voluntarily dropped the equipment off at a recycling location. Just because she had no idea that it was valuable doesn't mean she is entitled to protection from her own ignorance. Contrary to popular belief, the laws are not intended to protect stupid people from doing stupid things to themselves.
I wish I had a good sig, but all the good ones are copyrighted
She dropped the computer off for recycling. If you throw out a bunch of stuff, and unbeknownst to you there is a mint copy of Action Comics #1 in that stuff, them once you throw it out it is no longer yours. In fact, the local municipaloty may have a stronger claim than you do in such a case.
I have no sympathy for her if she tries to push for more than the $100,0000. She's lucky the recycling center is ethical enough to offer it to her, as they're otherwise not obligated to give her a penny.
FC Closer
If the tone of your post is any indication of what you are like in person, I believe that you may be entirely wrong, almost to the point of being polar opposite to reality, about their intentions about why they distance themselves... .
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
It, and everything else, are worth exactly what people are willing to pay for them.
Of course, but I wasn't questioning that it was worth that amount of money. I asked why.
Interesting question... the collector's market is really strange and much of it is completely illogical. Things nobody wants can be worth a fortune a little later. Believe it or not there are actually fashion trends in junk. I'm constantly amazed at the crap you can sell interior decorators. When steam punk is all the rage you can sell old cogwheels and cast iron table legs for a fortune, when the trend switches to 70's nostalgia your rusty iron machinery becomes worthless but crappy plastic disco balls and sweaty old clothes become valuable rarities. Believe it or not vintage jeans can be worth thousands and the more beat up they are the more people pay. I've seen people buy stuff that I resolutely refused to believe was worth a dime before I saw money change hands. Just because it's rare or old does not mean it is valuable, but it could be if it comes into fashion so timing is key. Stuff like the Apple I is valuable because of the history of Apple and the company's effect on the computer business. Most Nazi stuff is considered creepy and sells to a niche market but Enigma machines are an exception and sell to rich math geeks and IT startups millionaires because you get nerd points for owning one. Just wait a couple of decades and watch Google promotional banners, posters, coffee mugs, t-shirts or low serial Nexus One smartphones sell for outlandish sums of money.
Trailer Park Boys has taught us that you can steal anything if you first move it from a person's house to the side of the road. Once it's at the side of the road, it's trash and free for the taking so it's not really illegal to take it. You can easily use this method to appropriate grills, patio furniture, yard decorations, etc.
I love my sig.