Legal Definitions - in perpetuum

In perpetuum is a Latin phrase that translates to forever or perpetually. When something is described as being in perpetuum, it means it is intended to last indefinitely, without any specified end date or condition that would cause it to terminate.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of in perpetuum:

• Property Easement: Imagine a property owner grants their neighbor a right-of-way to cross a specific part of their land to reach a public road. If this easement is granted in perpetuum, it means the right to cross the land exists forever. It cannot be revoked by the current property owner or any future owners of that land, ensuring the neighbor (and subsequent owners of the neighbor's property) always have that access.

• Charitable Trust: A philanthropist might establish a trust fund with the specific purpose of providing scholarships to students from a particular region. If the trust is created in perpetuum, its legal structure and funding are designed to ensure it continues to operate and award scholarships indefinitely, generation after generation, rather than dissolving after a certain period or when the initial funds are depleted.

• Perpetual License: In the context of intellectual property, a company might grant a customer a license to use a specific software application or a piece of digital art in perpetuum. This means the customer has the right to use that particular version of the software or artwork indefinitely, without needing to renew the license annually or monthly, as long as they adhere to the terms of the original agreement.