Under NY law, which are not converters?

• A. All personal property can be converted
• B. Bona fide purchaser not converter
• C. Stolen goods are always converter
• D. Bona fide purchaser or stolen goods are not converters

Answer: (D)

Conversion is a tort that rests on a wrongful act by a person who exercises dominion over someone else’s property in a way that interferes with the owner’s rights. A defense exists for a person who acquires property in good faith for value—a bona fide purchaser—because there is no intent to deprive the true owner, and title passes to the purchaser, shielding them from liability for conversion. Similarly, the idea that stolen goods themselves are converters is incorrect: conversion is a fault of the person, not the object. The thief would be the converter if any, while a good-faith recipient of stolen goods is not typically liable for conversion. So, under NY law, a bona fide purchaser and stolen goods are not converters.