Proprietary means a relationship to a proprietor or owner; it also means of, relating to, or involving ownership. As the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department noted in Perlov v. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the proprietary capacity of an entity could refer to its ownership and control. For example, in this case, the state could act in its proprietary capacity as a landlord because of its ownership and control over a public facility.
See also proprietary interest, proprietary lease, and proprietary rights.
[Last updated in February of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]