Tangible vs Intangible Property - Explained
Property you can touch, and property you cannot
Written by Jason Gordon
Updated at April 3rd, 2023
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What is Property?
Property is any tangible or intangible physical item, design, creative work, or concept that is owned.
What is Tangible Property?
Tangible refers to physical property. That is, tangible property is anything that can be physically touched.
What is Intangible Property?
Intangible property refers to non-physical property. That is, intangible property is any property that cannot be physically touched.
- Example: Intangible property includes patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, debts, and company good will.
Next Article: Real vs Personal Property Back to: PROPERTY LAW
Discussion Question
Do you think that there should be a distinction between tangible and intangible property? Why or why not? Should they be afforded the exact same protections? For example, is theft of a copyrighted song the same as stealing someone's wallet? Why or why not?
Practice Question
Austin purchases a book of photography. Has he purchased tangible or intangible property?
- Tangible personal property has physical substance and can be touched, held and felt. Examples include furniture, cars, baseball cards, comic books, jewelry and art. Intangible personal property includes assets are the opposite of that. Examples include bank account, stocks, bonds, insurance policies and retirement benefit accounts. In the example of the book, Austin has bought a tangible property.
Related Topics
- Property Law (Intro)
- Tangible and Intangible property?
- Knowledge Capital
- Calculated Intangible Value
- Real and Personal Property?
- Chattel
- Littoral Land
- Fixtures?
- Appurtenance
- Readily Removable Fixtures
- What is ownership?
- Role of Government in ownership of property?
- Allodial System
- Role of property rights in economic activity?
- What are the limitations on property ownership rights?
- What is nuisance?
- What is Zoning?
- What is Eminent Domain?
- Just Compensation
- What is Property Taxation?
- Assessment Ratio
- Millage Rate
- Homeowners Association (HOA)
- Accession?
- Rule of First Possession?
- Lost or Mislaid Items?
- Adverse Possession?
- Encroachment
- Contracts?
- Gift?
- Confusion?
- Establishing and transferring ownership in real property?
- Absolute Title
- Warranty Deed
- Register of Deeds
- Conveyance
- What is a fee simple interest in real property?
- Absolute Interest
- Restrictive Covenant
- What is a life estate in real property?
- What is a leasehold estate in real property?
- What are common types of co-ownership relationships in real property?
- Owning Real Estate Personally vs as LLC
- What if Co-Owners of Real Estate Want Out
- Community Property and Separate Marital Property?
- What is an easement interest in real property?
- What is a license of real or personal property?
- Bundle of Rights
- Absorption Rate
- Fair Housing Act
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- National Housing Act
- Design Build Contract
- Building Permits
- Certificate of Acceptance
- Construction Surety Bond
- Acquisition, Development, and Construction Loan (ADC)
- Flipping (Real Property)
- Buy, Strip, and Flip
- Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan
- Building Residual Method
- Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Property Management
- Cost-Plus Contract
- Real Estate Investment Fund
- Listing Agreement
- Property Lawyers
- Multiple Listing Service
- Home Equity
- Register of Deeds
- Title Search
- Opinion of Title
- Certificate of Title
- Abstract of Title
- Chain of Title
- Clear Title
- Cloud on Title
- Defective Title
- Defect of Record
- Action to Quiet Title
- Abeyance
- Encumbrance
- Affidavit of Title
- Warranty of Title
- Title Insurance
- American Land Title Association (ALTA)
- Earnest Money
- Private Mortgage Insurance
- Closing (Property)
- Settlement Statement
- Real Estate Settlement Procedure Act (RESPA)
- HUD-1 Form
- Closing Statement
- Closing Costs
- Buying Real Estate as an LLC
- What is a mortgage?
- What are the Rights of a Mortgage Holder?
- Deed of Trust or Security Deed?
- Trust Deed
- Certificate of Release
- Judicial Foreclosure
- Lis Pendens
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Deficiency Judgment
- Short Sale
- Homeowners Protection Act
- Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure
- Tax Deed
- Tenancy at Will
- Closed End Lease Definition
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One Percent Rule
- Net Lease
- Triple Net Lease (NNN)
- True Lease Definition
- Land Lease Option
- Hell or High Water Contract
- Habendum Clause
- Attornment
- Implied Warranty of Habitability
- Emblements Definition
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Co-Tenancy Clause
- What is a bailment?
- Consignment
- Unilateral-benefit and mutual benefit bailments?
