res nullius
English
Etymology
From Latin rēs nūllīus (“nobody's thing”).
Noun
res nullius
- (law) Something that has no owner and is not subject to the jurisdiction of any state, but is susceptible to national appropriation.
Related terms
- terra nullius
References
- A Law Dictionary: Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, John Bouvier, Childs & Peterson: 1856.