Misappropriation

Misappropriation is a type of theft commonly faced by businesses. The law defines theft as the taking of property that belongs to another, with no intention of giving it back. What makes misappropriation different from theft is the fact that no physical object is taken. Instead, the thief intentionally and illegally uses the intellectual property of another for his or her own gain.  Misappropriation is also a common element in claims for unfair trade practices.

Misappropriation is more common than ever with the emergence of the Internet. Programmers may steal code, designers might take artwork, salespersons go after customer lists and even business partners may steal intellectual property for their own use, rather than pay your business for its hard work. If your intellectual property has been misappropriated, it is important you speak to an attorney like Frank Lamothe with extensive experience helping clients protect their intellectual property rights. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.