Earlier quoted context omitted.
> People don't actually own them. I think you need to read up on property law or show me what law I'm ignorant of that says you don't actually own the phone.
The contract you sign with the carrier says you don't own the phone until after the contract period expires. Same reason you can't just make copies of a cd of any band you like and hand them out to your friends, in the eyes of the law you may own a plastic disc but the information stored on it isn't yours to own, it is yours to borrow and use in a restricted set of circumstances the rights holder approves of.
You mean like when you sign a mortgage to buy a new home? Only it isn't true. You own your house even if you default which is why you can rip all of the copper and sell it for money before they foreclose on your home.
The contract with the carrier definitely doesn't say they own your phone. It makes no sense for them to say that since they have you for early termination fees.