Who is the rightful owner of license plates?

The rightful owner of license plates is typically the individual or entity that has registered the vehicle with the appropriate government authority and paid any associated fees. In most jurisdictions, license plates are considered the property of the state or government, but they are issued to the vehicle owner for identification purposes. If the vehicle is sold or transferred, the license plates may need to be returned to the issuing authority or transferred to the new owner, depending on local regulations.