"Title" cannot transfer for a stolen item.  The seller is on the hook for this one, although, the German buyer may find it expensive to pursue.  He'll probably be lucky to retrieve 75% after legal fees.  Less, if the seller fights.

Cheers, 

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Loren Busch
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 9:03 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: More Prhyeday Phollowup on BUs Stolen 35 Years Ago

I just did a little searching on terms that might be involved in such a
large International transaction and found this
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/fob.pdf
that covers the variations of the term FOB so commonly used in shipping.  I
think right now that the lawyers for all parties, especially the seller and
the buyer, are going over all paperwork and all correspondence that took
place between the two parties.  Read through variations on the terms that
can be associated with a sale, shipping, and delivery of a product,
especially when title actually transfers.  It is going to depend a lot on
the actual wording of the deal and what was agreed to between the parties
during any negotiations.