diff --git a/mesecons_movestones/init.lua b/mesecons_movestones/init.lua
index c492972..49ac2b5 100644
--- a/mesecons_movestones/init.lua
+++ b/mesecons_movestones/init.lua
@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ function mesecon.register_movestone(name, def, is_sticky, is_vertical)
 		-- ### Step 1: Push nodes in front ###
 		local success, stack, oldstack = mesecon.mvps_push(frontpos, direction, max_push, owner)
 		if not success then
+			if stack == "protected" then
+				meta:set_string("infotext", "Can't move: protected area on the way")
+				return
+			end
 			minetest.get_node_timer(pos):start(timer_interval)
 			return
 		end
@@ -57,7 +61,7 @@ function mesecon.register_movestone(name, def, is_sticky, is_vertical)
 		-- ### Step 2: Move the movestone ###
 		minetest.set_node(frontpos, node)
 		local meta2 = minetest.get_meta(frontpos)
-		meta2:from_table(meta:to_table())
+		meta2:set_string("owner", owner)
 		minetest.remove_node(pos)
 		mesecon.on_dignode(pos, node)
 		mesecon.on_placenode(frontpos, node)
@@ -87,7 +91,15 @@ function mesecon.register_movestone(name, def, is_sticky, is_vertical)
 		rules = mesecon.rules.default,
 	}}
 
-	def.after_place_node = mesecon.mvps_mark_owner
+	def.after_place_node = mesecon.mvps_set_owner
+
+	def.on_punch = function(pos, node, player)
+		local player_name = player and player.get_player_name and player:get_player_name()
+		if mesecon.mvps_claim(pos, player_name) then
+			minetest.get_node_timer(pos):start(timer_interval)
+			minetest.chat_send_player(player_name, "Reclaimed movestone")
+		end
+	end
 
 	def.on_timer = function(pos, elapsed)
 		local sourcepos = mesecon.is_powered(pos)
diff --git a/mesecons_mvps/init.lua b/mesecons_mvps/init.lua
index c3003ce..1b300aa 100644
--- a/mesecons_mvps/init.lua
+++ b/mesecons_mvps/init.lua
@@ -133,18 +133,30 @@ function mesecon.mvps_get_stack(pos, dir, maximum, all_pull_sticky)
 	return nodes
 end
 
-function mesecon.mvps_mark_owner(pos, placer)
+function mesecon.mvps_set_owner(pos, placer)
 	local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
 	local owner = placer and placer.get_player_name and placer:get_player_name()
 	if owner and owner ~= "" then
 		meta:set_string("owner", owner)
-		meta:set_string("infotext", "Owned by " .. owner)
 	else
 		meta:set_string("owner", "$unknown") -- to distinguish from older pistons
-		meta:set_string("infotext", "Unowned")
 	end
 end
 
+function mesecon.mvps_claim(pos, player_name)
+	if not player_name or player_name == "" then return end
+	local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
+	if meta:get_string("infotext") == "" then return end
+	if meta:get_string("owner") == player_name then return end -- already owned
+	if minetest.is_protected(pos, player_name) then
+		minetest.chat_send_player(player_name, "Can't reclaim: protected")
+		return
+	end
+	meta:set_string("owner", player_name)
+	meta:set_string("infotext", "")
+	return true
+end
+
 local function add_pos(positions, pos)
 	local hash = minetest.hash_node_position(pos)
 	positions[hash] = pos
@@ -170,7 +182,6 @@ local function are_protected(positions, player_name)
 	local is_protected = minetest.is_protected
 	for _, pos in pairs(positions) do
 		if is_protected(pos, name) then
-			minetest.record_protection_violation(pos, player_name)
 			return true
 		end
 	end
@@ -215,7 +226,7 @@ function mesecon.mvps_push_or_pull(pos, stackdir, movedir, maximum, all_pull_sti
 		add_pos(protection_check_set, vector.add(n.pos, movedir))
 	end
 	if are_protected(protection_check_set, player_name) then
-		return
+		return false, "protected"
 	end
 
 	-- remove all nodes
diff --git a/mesecons_pistons/init.lua b/mesecons_pistons/init.lua
index 3fb8d6f..1af80c5 100644
--- a/mesecons_pistons/init.lua
+++ b/mesecons_pistons/init.lua
@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ local piston_on = function(pos, node)
 	local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
 	local success, stack, oldstack = mesecon.mvps_push(pusher_pos, dir, max_push, meta:get_string("owner"))
 	if not success then
+		if stack == "protected" then
+			meta:set_string("infotext", "Can't extend: protected area on the way")
+		end
 		return
 	end
 	minetest.swap_node(pos, {param2 = node.param2, name = pistonspec.onname})
@@ -127,7 +130,7 @@ local orientations = {
 }
 
 local function piston_orientate(pos, placer)
-	mesecon.mvps_mark_owner(pos, placer)
+	mesecon.mvps_set_owner(pos, placer)
 	if not placer then
 		return
 	end
@@ -240,6 +243,13 @@ local function piston_rotate_pusher(pos, node, player, mode)
 	return piston_rotate_on(piston_pos, piston_node, player, mode)
 end
 
+local function piston_punch(pos, node, player)
+	local player_name = player and player.get_player_name and player:get_player_name()
+	if mesecon.mvps_claim(pos, player_name) then
+		minetest.chat_send_player(player_name, "Reclaimed piston")
+	end
+end
+
 
 -- Boxes:
 
@@ -282,6 +292,7 @@ minetest.register_node("mesecons_pistons:piston_normal_off", {
 		action_on = piston_on,
 		rules = piston_get_rules,
 	}},
+	on_punch = piston_punch,
 	on_rotate = piston_rotate,
 	on_blast = mesecon.on_blastnode,
 })
@@ -360,6 +371,7 @@ minetest.register_node("mesecons_pistons:piston_sticky_off", {
 		action_on = piston_on,
 		rules = piston_get_rules,
 	}},
+	on_punch = piston_punch,
 	on_rotate = piston_rotate,
 	on_blast = mesecon.on_blastnode,
 })
diff --git a/settingtypes.txt b/settingtypes.txt
index 6aab9da..5627440 100644
--- a/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/settingtypes.txt
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ mesecon.luacontroller_lightweight_interrupts (Lightweight interrupts) bool false
 # - restrict: disallow legacy MVPS
 # Note that new unowned (e.g. machine-placed) MVPS are always
 # handled as in `normal` mode.
-mesecon.mvps_protection_mode (MVPS [movestones, pistons] protection handling) enum normal normal,compat,ignore,restrict
+mesecon.mvps_protection_mode (MVPS [movestones, pistons] protection handling) enum compat normal,compat,ignore,restrict
 
 [mesecons_movestones]