rightofuse

Right of use is a legal concept referring to a permitted, non-ownership right to use another person’s asset under defined conditions. It is typically created by contract, license, or by operation of law, and it grants access or use without transferring ownership or title.

The right is generally distinguished from ownership and from more extensive property interests such as usufruct or full possession. It can be personal (ending with the holder’s death or breach) or, in some forms, transferable to another party. The scope may be limited by duration, purpose, location, or manner of use. For example, a person may have the right to occupy a building for a specified period, or a license may permit use of software or a trademark under stated terms.

Common contexts include real property, intellectual property, and tangible assets. In real property, a right of use may resemble a license or a limited easement granting permission to use land or facilities; in intellectual property, it often takes the form of a license to use software, copyrights, or trademarks; in other assets, it may cover the right to operate or access equipment or data.

Legal frameworks vary by jurisdiction. In civil-law systems, similar concepts appear as personal rights such as droit d’usage or usage rights and can be treated as a form of personal servitude. In common-law systems, rights of use are typically structured as licenses or easements and are governed by contract terms and, where applicable, property-record requirements. Termination, breach, and enforcement depend on the governing instrument and local law.