CONFUSION OF GOODS

confusion of goods.The mixture of things of the same nature but belonging to different owners so that the iden-tification of the things is no longer possible. • If this occurs by common consent of the owners, they are owners in common, but if the mixture is done willfully by one person alone, that person loses all right in the property unless (1) the goods can be distinguished and separated among owners, or (2) the mixing person’s goods are equal in value to the goods with which they were intermingled. Confusion of goods combines the civil-law concepts of confusio (a mixture of liquids) and commixtio (a mixture of dry items). — Also termed intermixture of goods; confusio bonorum. [Cases: Confusion of Goods  1–5. C.J.S. Confusion of Goods §§ 1–7, 13.] [Blacks Law 8th]