Legal Definitions - finder

The term "finder" has two distinct meanings in a legal context:

1. An Intermediary for Business Opportunities

In a business sense, a "finder" is an individual or entity whose primary role is to introduce two or more parties who might benefit from a business relationship. The finder facilitates the initial connection but typically does not participate in the subsequent negotiations, advise on the terms of the deal, or handle any financial transactions. Their compensation is usually for making the successful introduction.

• Example A: Connecting Startups with Investors
  A business consultant specializes in the technology sector. They know a promising new software startup that is seeking seed funding and also have connections with several venture capital firms looking for innovative investment opportunities. The consultant arranges an initial meeting between the startup's CEO and a partner at a venture capital firm.

  Explanation: The consultant acts as a finder by simply bringing together the startup and the investor. Their role concludes once the introduction is made, and they do not get involved in negotiating the investment terms or the equity stake.

• Example B: Facilitating a Commercial Property Sale
  A real estate professional is aware of a large industrial warehouse that a manufacturing company wishes to sell. Separately, they know a logistics company that is actively searching for a new distribution center. The professional introduces the owner of the manufacturing company to the CEO of the logistics company.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the real estate professional is a finder because they connected a willing seller with a potential buyer. They are compensated for this introduction, but the two companies themselves will negotiate the sale price and other contractual details without the professional's direct involvement in those discussions.

2. A Person Who Discovers an Object

In property law, a "finder" refers to a person who discovers and takes possession of an object that was lost or mislaid by its original owner.

• Example A: Discovering a Lost Item in Public
  While hiking on a trail, Maria spots a high-quality camera lying on the ground, clearly having fallen out of someone's bag. She picks it up with the intention of trying to locate its owner.

  Explanation: Maria is the finder of the camera because she discovered an item that was lost by its owner and took it into her possession.

• Example B: Uncovering an Item During Renovation
  During the renovation of an old house, a construction worker demolishes a wall and discovers a small, antique wooden box containing old coins hidden within the structure.

  Explanation: The construction worker is the finder of the box and its contents, as they uncovered an item that was previously hidden and likely lost or forgotten by a past owner of the property.

• Example C: Finding a Misplaced Item
  At a library, David notices a pair of reading glasses left on a table after the previous patron has departed. He picks them up and hands them to the librarian at the front desk.

  Explanation: David is the finder of the glasses, as he discovered an item that was mislaid (temporarily forgotten) by its owner in a public place.