Interaction with virtual objects causing change of legal status

Technology is provided for transferring a right to a digital content item based on one or more physical actions detected in data captured by a see-through, augmented reality display device system. A digital content item may be represented by a three-dimensional (3D) virtual object displayed by the device system. A user can hold the virtual object in some examples, and transfer a right to the content item the object represents by handing the object to another user within a defined distance, who indicates acceptance of the right based upon one or more physical actions including taking hold of the transferred object. Other examples of physical actions performed by a body part of a user may also indicate offer and acceptance in the right transfer. Content may be transferred from display device to display device while rights data is communicated via a network with a service application executing remotely.