Legal Definitions - intangible movable

An intangible movable refers to a type of property that has value and can be owned and transferred, but does not have a physical presence. Unlike tangible property (like a car or a piece of furniture), you cannot touch or physically hold an intangible movable. Instead, it represents rights or interests that are legally recognized and can be bought, sold, or inherited.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Copyright for a Song

  A musician composes a new song and registers its copyright. The copyright itself is an intangible movable. The musician doesn't physically possess the copyright in the same way they might possess their guitar. Instead, the copyright represents a legal right to control the reproduction, distribution, and performance of the song. This right has significant value and can be sold to a music publisher, licensed for use in a film, or passed down to heirs, demonstrating its movable nature despite lacking physical form.

• Example 2: Shares in a Company

  An investor purchases shares of stock in a technology company. These shares are an intangible movable. While the investor might receive electronic statements or records, the actual value lies in the underlying ownership interest in the company. This ownership interest grants rights (such as voting rights or a claim to a portion of the company's profits) but has no physical form. The shares can be easily bought and sold on a stock exchange, illustrating their movable quality.

• Example 3: A Patent for an Invention

  An inventor develops a new medical device and obtains a patent for it. The patent is an intangible movable asset. It is not the physical device itself, but rather the exclusive legal right granted by the government to make, use, and sell the invention for a certain period. This right has substantial commercial value and can be licensed to other manufacturers, sold outright to another company, or used as collateral for a loan, all without any physical transfer of an object.