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.
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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
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- Encroachment
- Contracts?
- Gift?
- Confusion?
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- Warranty Deed
- Register of Deeds
- Conveyance
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- What is a leasehold estate in real property?
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- What is a license of real or personal property?
- Bundle of Rights
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- Fair Housing Act
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
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- National Housing Act
- Design Build Contract
- Building Permits
- Certificate of Acceptance
- Construction Surety Bond
- Acquisition, Development, and Construction Loan (ADC)
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- Buy, Strip, and Flip
- Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan
- Building Residual Method
- Accessory Dwelling Unit
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- 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
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- Defective Title
- Defect of Record
- Action to Quiet Title
- Abeyance
- Encumbrance
- Affidavit of Title
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- Earnest Money
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- HUD-1 Form
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- Closing Costs
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- What are the Rights of a Mortgage Holder?
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- Trust Deed
- Certificate of Release
- Judicial Foreclosure
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Deficiency Judgment
- Short Sale
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- Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure
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One Percent Rule
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