Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary

Need Professional Help? Talk to a Lawyer
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area

Abandoned Property: To relinquish ownership and rights in real estate or other property -- for example, a tenant who (by all outside appearances) has lntentionally and permanently left an apartment with personal possessions. Abandoned property includes intellectual property rights -- for example, if an inventor has not applied for a patent, others are legally permitted to use the invention.