misappropriable

Misappropriable is an adjective used to describe something that can be lawfully taken and used by someone other than the owner. This concept is most commonly encountered in the context of intellectual property, where certain creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce, are protected by law. When something is misappropriable, it means that without the permission of the rights holder, another party could potentially gain unauthorized access to and benefit from it. This is often in contrast to things that are not considered misappropriable, such as ideas in their raw form or information that is already in the public domain. The legal framework surrounding misappropriability aims to balance the rights of creators with the public interest in access to information and innovation. Understanding what is and is not misappropriable is crucial for navigating intellectual property law and protecting one's creations or avoiding infringement.