Misappropriation

In law, misappropriation is the unauthorized use of another's name, likeness, or identity without that person's permission, resulting in harm to that person.

Another use of the word refers to intentional and illegal use of property or funds; it can particularly refer to when done by a public official.

In criminal law, misappropriation is the intentional, illegal use of the property or funds of another person for one's own use or other unauthorized purpose, particularly by a public official, a trustee of a trust, an executor or administrator of a dead person's estate or by any person with a responsibility to care for and protect another's assets (a fiduciary duty). It is a felony, a crime punishable by a prison sentence.

In scientific research, misappropriation is a type of research misconduct. An investigator, scholar or reviewer can obtain novel ideas during the process of the exchange of ideas amongst colleagues and peers. However, improper use of such information could constitute fraud. This can include plagiarism of work or to make use of any information in breach of any duty of confidentiality associated with the review of manuscripts or grant applications.

Misappropriation can have very serious consequences, including: imprisonment, fines, probation, and permanent Criminal Record.

The punishment for misappropriation may be determined by: the value of the property affected and previous criminal record.

Since misappropriation is considered a form of theft, arguments countering charges of theft can be modified and utilized against misappropriation, including:

Embezzlement is misappropriation when the funds involved have been lawfully entrusted to the embezzler. In circumstances where the funds are accessible to, but not entrusted to, the perpetrator, it's not embezzlement but is still larceny, misappropriation, misapplication, or some similar term.

For an example, see §1803 of the Judicial Council of California's Civil Jury Instructions from 2013.

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