Each provision of this chapter with regard to the rights, obligations and remedies of the seller, the buyer, purchasers or other third parties applies irrespective of title to the goods except where the provision refers to such title. In so far as situations are not covered by the other provisions of this chapter and matters concerning title become material the following rules apply:

Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 72.4010

  • Buyer: means a person who buys or contracts to buy goods. See Oregon Statutes 72.1030
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Livestock: means equines, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas and swine. See Oregon Statutes 72.1030
  • Seller: means a person who sells or contracts to sell goods. See Oregon Statutes 72.1030
  • Uniform Commercial Code: A set of statutes enacted by the various states to provide consistency among the states' commercial laws. It includes negotiable instruments, sales, stock transfers, trust and warehouse receipts, and bills of lading. Source: OCC

(1) Title to goods cannot pass under a contract for sale prior to their identification to the contract as provided in ORS § 72.5010, and unless otherwise explicitly agreed the buyer acquires by their identification a special property as limited by the Uniform Commercial Code. Any retention or reservation by the seller of the title (property) in goods shipped or delivered to the buyer is limited in effect to a reservation of a security interest. Subject to these provisions and to the provisions of ORS Chapter 79 on secured transactions, title to goods passes from the seller to the buyer in any manner and on any conditions explicitly agreed on by the parties.

(2) Unless otherwise explicitly agreed title passes to the buyer at the time and place at which the seller completes performance with reference to the physical delivery of the goods, despite any reservation of a security interest and even though a document of title is to be delivered at a different time or place; and in particular and despite any reservation of a security interest by the bill of lading:

(a) If the contract requires or authorizes the seller to send the goods to the buyer but does not require the seller to deliver them at destination, title passes to the buyer at the time and place of shipment; but

(b) If the contract requires delivery at destination, title passes on tender there.

(3) Unless otherwise explicitly agreed where delivery is to be made without moving the goods:

(a) If the seller is to deliver a tangible document of title, title passes at the time when and the place where the seller delivers the document and if the seller is to deliver an electronic document of title, title passes when the seller delivers the document; or

(b) If the goods are at the time of contracting already identified and no documents of title are to be delivered, title passes at the time and place of contracting.

(4) When livestock has been delivered under a contract of sale and is transported by private, common or contract carrier, if on the accompanying brand inspection certificate or memorandum of brand inspection certificate the seller has noted that as consideration for the sale of the livestock a draft, check, certificate of deposit or note has been given, title does not pass until the instrument is paid.

(5) A rejection or other refusal by the buyer to receive or retain the goods, whether or not justified, or a justified revocation of acceptance revests title to the goods in the seller. Such revesting occurs by operation of law and is not a ‘sale.’ [1961 c.726 § 72.4010; 1973 c.287 § 1; 2001 c.445 § 135; 2009 c.181 § 29]