Marché ouvert

Strange concept:

"In general, the sale of stolen goods does not convey effective title. However, under 'marché ouvert', if goods were openly sold in designated markets between sunset and sunrise, provenance could not be questioned and effective title of ownership was obtained. The law originated centuries ago when people did not travel; if the victim of a theft did not bother to look in his local market on market day—the only place where the goods were likely to be—he was not being suitably diligent."