According to the patch notes:
The wise people of Artaeum have transcended the need for retributive justice, and shed the shackles of material wealth – resulting in many objects that, while previously considered "owned", are now free for any travelers to take without issue
I was in Artaeum a few days ago and noticed one character that had some items that you could steal. I picked them up (some of the bottles on the ground) and got a bounty, which I expected, of course. The character can't be interacted with and didn't say anything when I took the items. Of course the patch note does say "many objects", not all objects. OTOH, I would assume this is an oversight.
Edited by Ardaghion on September 13, 2019 4:44PM