With replicator technology available, there will be little distinction between tangible personal property and intellectual property.

FORBES: Must Earl Grey Collect Sales Tax From Captain Picard?

Sales taxes focus on sales of tangible personal property, but property is often produced when you hire someone to perform a service.

FORBES: Taxing Gaga?

Use tax is the mirror image, applying to tangible personal property purchased outside the taxing state, but brought into the state and used there.

FORBES: Taxing Gaga?

Sales tax applies to most sales of tangible personal property.

FORBES: Taxing Gaga?

How do you know if a transaction involves a sale of tangible personal property (sales tax applies) or the performance of services with a property transfer merely being incidental (no sales tax)?

FORBES: Taxing Gaga?

Accordingly, they do not constitute tangible personal property.

FORBES: E-books Exempt from New York Sales Tax

Under current law, when you donate tangible personal property, such as art or furniture, you can deduct only the lesser of what you paid for it or what it's currently worth--unless the charity keeps and uses the item for an activity related to its charitable work.

FORBES: Charitable Changes

The foregoing limitation of liability shall not apply to the extent that any liability arises from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Investment Consultant, its employees, affiliates, agents or contractors or from bodily injury, death of any person, or damage to any real or tangible personal property.

FORBES: Actuarial Limitations of Liability? (LOL) Laugh Out Loud! (December 1, 2002 )