Goods in United States

Goods Definition

The word goods, as a technical term of the law is nomen generalissimum,, and has a very extensive meaning. 35 N. H. 483. In Contracts. The term “goods” is not so wide as “chattels,” for it applies to inanimate objects, and does not include animals or chattels real, as a lease for years of house or land, which “chattels” does include. Co. Litt. 118; 1 Russ. 376. Goods will not include fixtures. 2 Mass. 495 ; 4 J. B. Moore, 73. In a more limited sense, “goods” is used for articles of merchandise. 2 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 389. It has been held in Massachusetts that promissory notes were within the term “goods” in the statute of frauds (3 Mete. [Mass.] 365; but see 24 N. H. 484; 4 Dud. [S. C] 28) ; so stock or shares of an incorporated company (20 Pick. [Mass.] 9; 3 Har. & J. [Md.] 38; 15 Conn. 400); so, in some cases, bank notes and coin (2 Story [U. S.] 52; 5 Mason [U. S.] 537). See “Chattel.” In Penal Statutes. In a strict sense, as the word is understood in penal statutes, it is limited to movables belonging to the property of some person, which have an intrinsic value, and does not include securities, which are not valuable in themselves, but merely represent value. 35 N. H. 483. In Wills. In wills, goods is nomen generalissimum, and, if there is nothing to limit it, will comprehend all the personal estate of the testator, as stocks, bonds, notes, money, plate, furniture, etc. 35 N. H. 483; 1 Atk. 180-182; 2 Atk. 62; 1 P. Wms. 267; 1 Brown, Ch. 128; 4 Russ. 370; Williams, Ex’rs, 1014; 1 Rop. Leg. 250. But in general it will be limited by the context of the will. See 2 Belt, Supp. Ves. 287; 1 Chit. Prac. 89, 90; 1 Ves. Jr. 63; 3 Ves. 212; Hammond, Parties, 182; 1 Yeates (Pa.) 101; 2 Dall. (Pa.) 142; Ayliffe, Pand. 296; Weskett, Ins. 260; Sugd. Vend. 493, 497; and the articles “Biens;” “Chattel”; “Furniture.”

Goods in Foreign Legal Encyclopedias

Back to Top

For starting research in the law of a foreign country:

Browse the American Encyclopedia of Law for Goods

Scan Goods in the appropriate area of law:

Explore other Reference Works

Back to Top

Legal Issue for Attorneys

The word goods, as a technical term of the law is nomen generalissimum,, and has a very extensive meaning. 35 N. H. 483. In Contracts. The term “goods” is not so wide as “chattels,” for it applies to inanimate objects, and does not include animals or chattels real, as a lease for years of house or land, which “chattels” does include. Co. Litt. 118; 1 Russ. 376. Goods will not include fixtures. 2 Mass. 495 ; 4 J. B. Moore, 73. In a more limited sense, “goods” is used for articles of merchandise. 2 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 389. It has been held in Massachusetts that promissory notes were within the term “goods” in the statute of frauds (3 Mete. [Mass.] 365; but see 24 N. H. 484; 4 Dud. [S. C] 28) ; so stock or shares of an incorporated company (20 Pick. [Mass.] 9; 3 Har. & J. [Md.] 38; 15 Conn. 400); so, in some cases, bank notes and coin (2 Story [U. S.] 52; 5 Mason [U. S.] 537). See “Chattel.” In Penal Statutes. In a strict sense, as the word is understood in penal statutes, it is limited to movables belonging to the property of some person, which have an intrinsic value, and does not include securities, which are not valuable in themselves, but merely represent value. 35 N. H. 483. In Wills. In wills, goods is nomen generalissimum, and, if there is nothing to limit it, will comprehend all the personal estate of the testator, as stocks, bonds, notes, money, plate, furniture, etc. 35 N. H. 483; 1 Atk. 180-182; 2 Atk. 62; 1 P. Wms. 267; 1 Brown, Ch. 128; 4 Russ. 370; Williams, Ex’rs, 1014; 1 Rop. Leg. 250. But in general it will be limited by the context of the will. See 2 Belt, Supp. Ves. 287; 1 Chit. Prac. 89, 90; 1 Ves. Jr. 63; 3 Ves. 212; Hammond, Parties, 182; 1 Yeates (Pa.) 101; 2 Dall. (Pa.) 142; Ayliffe, Pand. 296; Weskett, Ins. 260; Sugd. Vend. 493, 497; and the articles “Biens;” “Chattel”; “Furniture.”

This definition of Goods is based on The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary. This entry needs to be proofread.

Examination of goods

Find more information on Examination of goods in relation to the Customs Trade Law in the legal Encyclopedias.

Goods and the International Trade Law

Suing the Cut-Rate Competitor: Repackaged Goods, Refurbished Goods, and Rerouted Goods

This section examines the Suing the Cut-Rate Competitor: Repackaged
Goods, Refurbished Goods, and Rerouted Goods subject in its related phase of trial. In some cases, other key elements related to trials, such as personal injury, business, and criminal litigation, are also addressed.

Goods (Subject Matter)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of goods. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Subject Matter is provided. Finally, the subject of Sales in relation with goods is examined. Note that a list of cross references, bibliography and other resources appears at the end of this entry.

Concept of Goods in Foreign Trade

A definition of Goods in relation with foreign trade is provided here: Merchandise, supplies, raw materials, and products or any other item identified by a Harmonized System (HS) code.

Resources

See Also

Further Reading

• Goods entry in the Dictionary of International Trade Law (Raj Bhala)
• Goods entry in the Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History (Thomas Carson; Mary Bonk)
• Goods entry in the Dictionary of International Trade
• Goods entry in the Dictionary of International Trade: Handbook of the Global Trade Community (Edward G. Hinkelman)

Gdp/gnp in the International Business Landscape

Definition of Gdp/gnp in the context of U.S. international business and public trade policy: The value of all goods and services produced for sale in a nation in a year. (GDP excludes investment income from abroad.)