Final answer:
An easement by prescription can be obtained through continuous, open, and notorious use for a legally prescribed period. It involves using another's property without permission in a way that is obvious to the owner for a duration according to local law.
Step-by-step explanation:
An easement by prescription may be acquired after continuous, open, and notorious use for at least a certain prescribed period of time, which varies by jurisdiction. To obtain an easement by prescription, the use must typically be adversarial to the interests of the landowner, done without permission, and must continue unabated for the time period defined by law. This concept is similar to adverse possession, whereby someone may claim ownership of land not originally theirs through sustained occupation and use.
Easements are often established to serve public objectives, such as preserving open spaces for conservation purposes. An easement might restrict development on a piece of land to maintain it as an open green space, which benefits the community at large. The specific duration required to establish an easement by prescription depends on local laws, but it often ranges from 5 to 20 years.