Legal Ownership in Louisiana
Ownership is one of the most important concepts in civil society. Art. 477 of the Louisiana civil code defines ownership as, “Ownership is the right that confers on a person direct, immediate, and exclusive authority over a thing. The owner of a thing may use, enjoy, and dispose of it within the limits and under the conditions established by law.”
The following articles of the code elaborate on the ownership of things.
Art. 448. Division of things
Things are divided into common, public, and private; corporeals and incorporeals; and movables and immovables.
Art. 449. Common things.
Common things may not be owned by anyone. They are such as the air and the high seas that may be freely used by everyone conformably with the use for which nature has intended them.
Art. 453. Private things
Private things are owned by individuals, other private persons, and by the state or its political subdivisions in their capacity as private persons.
Art. 454. Freedom of disposition by private persons.
Owners of private things may freely dispose of them under modifications established by law.
Art. 455. Private things subject to public use
Private things may be subject to public use in accordance with law or by dedication
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