A district court ruled in favor of Richard McLean and Edith Stevens in October, siding with their claim that they were entitled to the land under the state's adverse possession law -- formerly known as squatters' rights -- the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

McLean, a retired judge, and Stevens, a lawyer, were given one-third of the lot by the court after they spent more than 20 years using part of the property -- which the neighbors value at $1 million -- to store firewood, plant a garden and host parties.

The adverse possession law allows people to claim ownership of a property after using it for a certain length of time without a challenge from the owner.

"This scares the hell out of landowners," said Don Kirlin, the man whose property was taken away.

A demonstration was held in November on the property, featuring more than 200 protesters bearing signs supportive of Kirlins and scolding McLean and Stevens.