Property in People

Map Branches

• Amistad 1841, USSC
  • Facts & Issues
    • Africans kidnapped & sold
    • Spanish ban on slave trading
    • Rebellion & recapture near Cuba
    • Salvage? Return? Free? Abolish?
  • Appellees' Arguments
    • ESP-USA Treaty: "merchandise"?
    • No evidence of ownership
    • Governed by "law of nature"
    • Slavery is "inhuman"
  • Story J. (majority)
    • ESP-USA Treaty, Art 9:
      • Merchandise?
      • Pirates?
      • Proof?
    • Illegally acquired under ESP law
    • THESE people are not slaves
  • Would you argue on technicality or morality?
• Moore 1990, Cal SC
  • Facts & Issues
    • Hairy-cell leukemia
    • Splenectomy & samples
    • Breach of fiduciary duty?
    • Conversion of property?
      • Samples
      • Cell line
      • Patent
  • Pinelli (majority)
    • Existing law?
      • No precedent
      • Statute limits rights
      • Not patentable
    • Extend law?
      • Policies
        • Informed consent
        • Biomed research
      • Institutional capacity
      • Necessity of proprietary remedy?
  • Mosk (dissent)
    • Existing law?
      • No precedent
      • Property often limited
      • No patent but/for samples
    • Extend law?
      • Policies
        • Won't disable innovation
        • Ethical imperatives
        • Unjust enrichment
      • Role of judiciary
      • Fiduciary duties insufficient

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