Possession

possession (something that can be used) vs. property (something that can be sold). [1]

Definition

From the Wikipedia:

"In law, possession the control a person intentionally exercises toward a thing. In all cases, to possess something, a person must have an intention to possess it. A person may be in possession of some property (although possession does not always imply ownership). Like ownership, the possession of things is commonly regulated by states under property law." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possession_%28law%29)

Discussion

Christian Siefkes: Peer Production is based on Possession, not Property

Christian Siefkes:

"Peer production is based on commons and possession (not on property). Benkler talks about “commons-based peer production” to emphasize the important role of the commons (goods and resources without owners who can control how they can be used). Generally, commons such as free software and open knowledge play an important role as input or output (or both) of peer projects.

Where things are not commons, they generally matter as possession (something that can be used), not as property (something that can be sold). In current peer projects, resources such as computing power and Internet access are typically privately owned, but they are used and shared for reaching the goals of the projects, they aren’t employed for financial gain. And, as noted above, participation in peer projects is motivated by use value, not by exchange value — goods are produced to be used (as commons or possession), not be be sold (as property)." (http://www.keimform.de/2008/01/21/material-peer-production-part-0-traits-of-peer-production/)