The right of ownership in an asset is divided in three elements: the right of use, the right of beneficial use (benefits) et the right of disposal of said asset.

The subdivision of ownership rights consists in giving to different individuals different elements of the ownership right in an asset: e.g. one individual shall have the right to use and the right of beneficial use and shall therefore be the usufructuary of said thing, while another individual shall have the right of disposal and shall therefore be the bare owner of said asset.