Resursägaren

Resursägaren is a term used in Swedish to denote the holder of property rights to a resource, whether natural or digital. The word is formed from resurs and ägaren. The resursägaren has the authority to determine how the resource is used, to grant access or transfer rights, and to receive any economic benefit from its exploitation, subject to applicable law, contracts, and, where relevant, public or contractual restrictions.

Ownership may be private, corporate, public, or community-based. In many contexts the owner does not directly carry out extraction or use; instead, rights to use are licensed, leased, or otherwise allocated to others (for example through licenses, concessions, or easements). The owner remains responsible for safeguarding the resource and ensuring sustainable management, particularly when the resource has public value or environmental significance.

Rights and duties: The resursägaren's prerogatives are balanced against regulatory controls, environmental rules, and social considerations. Licensing fees, royalties, taxes, and performance obligations are common instruments for regulating access and ensuring fair benefit-sharing. Disputes may concern ownership boundaries, valuation, access terms, or compensation for restrictions on use.

Scope and examples: The concept covers tangible resources such as land, water, minerals, forests, or energy infrastructure, as well as intangible resources like data, software assets, or proprietary knowledge. The precise status and powers of a resursägare depend on the legal framework of the jurisdiction.