Concept of prescription

Things and rights are acquired by virtue of possession, just as obligations are extinguished by the fact of their fulfillment not being demanded. The law lays down conditions and the period of time, that are necessary, for one, as well as for the other. This is called prescription. § Sole paragraph - The acquisition of things or rights by possession is known as positive prescription; the discharge of obligations by reason of their fulfillment not being demanded is known as negative prescription.