A person who purchases leased livestock from or a commission merchant who sells leased livestock for the lessee of such livestock shall not be liable to the owner or lessor of such livestock unless the livestock are clearly marked or branded with a mark or brand registered by the owner or lessor with the department and, prior to the purchase or sale, the purchaser or commission merchant has received written notice of the owner's or lessor's ownership interest in such livestock and of the owner's or lessor's mark or brand.