diff --git a/v2/claim.go b/v2/claim.go
index d9304ea..01765c4 100644
--- a/v2/claim.go
+++ b/v2/claim.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ type Claim struct {
 	data      Data
 	selection xproto.Atom
 	timestamp xproto.Timestamp
-	active    bool
+	open      bool
 
 	requests map[xproto.Atom] claimRequest
 }
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func NewClaim (window *xwindow.Window, selection xproto.Atom, data Data, timesta
 	}
 
 	return &Claim {
-		active:    true,
+		open:      true,
 		window:    window,
 		data:      data,
 		selection: selection,
@@ -131,6 +131,10 @@ func (claim *Claim) HandleSelectionRequest (
 	connection *xgbutil.XUtil,
 	event xevent.SelectionRequestEvent,
 ) {
+	// do not fulfill *new* selection requests after the claim has been
+	// relinquished
+	if !claim.open { return }
+
 	// Follow:
 	// https://tronche.com/gui/x/icccm/sec-2.html#s-2.2
 
@@ -279,15 +283,28 @@ func (claim *Claim) HandleSelectionClear (
 	// is, before it receives notification that the requestor has received
 	// all the data), it must continue to service the ongoing transfer until
 	// it is complete.
-	claim.active = false
+	claim.open = false
+}
+
+// Open returns false if the claim has been relinquished, either from recieving
+// a SelectionClear event or with the Close method.
+func (claim *Claim) Open () bool {
+	return claim.open
+}
+
+// Active returns true if requests are currently being fulfilled. While this is
+// true, the claim should still be forwarded events regardless if it is closed
+// or not. It is safe to forward the same event to multiple claims.
+func (claim *Claim) Active () bool {
+	return len(claim.requests) > 0
 }
 
 // Close voluntarily relinquishes the selection claim. This will inform the X
 // server that the selection is being voluntarily given up, and cause the claim
-// to stop responding to events.
+// to stop fulfilling new requests.
 func (claim *Claim) Close () error {
-	if !claim.active { return nil }
-	claim.active = false
+	if !claim.open { return nil }
+	claim.open = false
 
 	// To relinquish ownership of a selection voluntarily, a client should
 	// execute a SetSelectionOwner request for that selection atom, with