Eigentumsform

Eigentumsform is a term used to describe the legally recognized form in which property, assets or means of production are owned and controlled. It defines who holds ownership rights, who may use or dispose of assets, and how profits or benefits are allocated. Ownership rights are often distinct from possession or day-to-day use and are defined by civil law, constitutional norms, and economic or social policy.

Privateigentum denotes ownership by individuals or private entities. It is a central element of market economies and typically entails exclusion rights, transferability, and the ability to disposition assets within legal limits. Private Eigentum can apply to real estate, businesses, financial assets and other resources.

Staatseigentum refers to property owned by the state or public bodies. It aims to serve the public interest, provide public services, and safeguard strategic resources. Examples include infrastructure, schools, and national resources.

Genossenschaftseigentum describes ownership by a cooperative or its members. In housing, consumer or worker cooperatives, the assets are owned collectively by members who elect governing bodies and share profits or benefits according to cooperative rules.

Miteigentum, or joint ownership, occurs when two or more parties hold undivided shares in a property or asset. Each owner has rights to use and dispose in proportion to their share, and decisions typically require coordination among owners.

Gemeineigentum or communal property refers to property held collectively by a community or group, often linked to common-pool resources or customary governance. Management is typically regulated by community rules or statutory frameworks to balance access and sustainability.

In practice, Eigentumsformen influence incentives, investment, distribution of wealth, and social welfare. They are established and modified within legal systems and policy contexts, reflecting historical, economic, and cultural factors.