# Use By Other Than Registered Owner (milk-crates) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 17, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938 "2015-10-17T21:49:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/1 "2015-10-17T21:49:49Z")
I bought a couple of “milk crate” style storage boxes at a shop, and they are prominently labeled (molded right into the plastic): “Use by Other Than Registered Owner is Punishable Under Law.” Yeah, sure. Is this some kind of quirky joke, or something left over from Blue Laws of the 1910s? Is this like getting thrown in jail for cutting the tag off my pillow? Worth noting, I never “registered” my purchase, so these boxes are still “registered” to the store I bought 'em from. Do I need to pack my toothbrush and report to state prison? ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2015, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/2 "2015-10-17T22:57:54Z")
Probably not a great idea to mention, on the internet, that you have in your possession stolen milk crates. But, I guess it is too late for that, eh? Seek legal help, immediately. ---
**Author:** ![northporlarbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7bcc69/32.png) [@northporlarbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/northporlarbear)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/3 "2015-10-17T23:38:55Z")
Try [Avvo.com](http://Avvo.com). I’ve found their lawyers useful. It’s free. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/4 "2015-10-17T23:40:40Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Probably not a great idea to mention, on the internet, that you have in your possession stolen milk crates. That’s the least of his worries; I heard he tore the tag off his mattress. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/5 "2015-10-17T23:42:12Z")
Sounds about as threatening as those tags on mattresses. Edit: DAMNIT, ninja’d ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/6 "2015-10-18T00:06:36Z")
Milk crates as used by milk companies and other companies are not give away storage boxes. If these are your milk crates do you want someone else coming along and taking them? Those things are worth money, they’re very valuable to people who recycle the polypropylene. They get stolen a lot because they get left outside behind stores and restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/7 "2015-10-18T00:38:43Z")
These are manufactured to be sold in places like The Container Store. There is no registration process. Did they just copy the mold from a manufacturer who actually did have a registration process? (I also transfer prescription medications into bottles other than those the meds were originally issued in.) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/8 "2015-10-18T00:42:11Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > These are manufactured to be sold in places like The Container Store. > > There is no registration process. Why would there be a registration process? > [@](#): > > Did they just copy the mold from a manufacturer who actually did have a registration process? Probably copied the mold. Again, why a registration process? ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/9 "2015-10-18T00:45:49Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > These are manufactured to be sold in places like The Container Store. > > There is no registration process. > > Did they just copy the mold from a manufacturer who actually did have a registration process? > > (I also transfer prescription medications into bottles other than those the meds were originally issued in.) Tell this to your lawyer. I wouldn’t mention the prescription meds or the mattress thingy. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/10 "2015-10-18T01:06:36Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > That’s the least of his worries; I heard he tore the tag off his mattress. And used a product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/11 "2015-10-18T01:16:24Z")
How timely! Earlier this week I stumbled on an article that touches on this very topic. [Why It’s Illegal to Use Milk Crates for Anything Besides Milk](http://modernfarmer.com/2013/08/illegal-use-milk-crates-anything-besides-milk/) ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/12 "2015-10-18T03:05:46Z")
I guess it didn’t help that they were the perfect size for 12" record albums. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/13 "2015-10-18T04:02:22Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > How timely! Earlier this week I stumbled on an article that touches on this very topic. > > [Why It’s Illegal to Use Milk Crates for Anything Besides Milk](http://modernfarmer.com/2013/08/illegal-use-milk-crates-anything-besides-milk/) From the linked article: “It’s true. Pennsylvania code does indeed criminalize unauthorized ‘use for any purpose’ of a milk crate stamped with the name of another company (as mine are).” The crates I have aren’t stamped with any company name, so this particular idea isn’t the explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/14 "2015-10-18T04:11:49Z")
Missed the edit window: I’ve just sent a question to the customer service department of the store where I bought these. I’ll let y’all know what they say. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/15 "2015-10-18T04:19:55Z")
I’ve only ever stolen them (misdemeanor at best), never bought them (felony, receiving stolen property). 😃 Ain’t the legal system great? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/16 "2015-10-18T05:43:51Z")
The best that money can buy! ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/17 "2015-10-18T06:39:23Z")
They use the same mold, since I’m assuming they are made by places that make milk crates for dairies. It’s probably a cost cutting measure. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/18 "2015-10-18T20:26:41Z")
That makes sense! Thank’ee! ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/19 "2015-10-18T22:38:58Z")
Just in case, make sure your passport is current. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938/20 "2015-10-18T23:26:15Z")
Nah, that’d leave a record. Best to pay a [del]coyote[/del] _etoyoc_ to sneak you into Mexico, then go overland to El Salvador, get false papers, then travel onwards to, say, Thailand to hole up while the federal Milk Crate Police seach in vain for you back in the US of A. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-by-other-than-registered-owner-milk-crates/734938.md?page=2)