What does appropriation refer to in legal terms?

Appropriation in legal terms specifically refers to the assumption of rights of an owner, which involves taking, using, or dealing with someone else's property without their consent. This can be particularly relevant in the context of theft or the law surrounding intellectual property, as it implies a wrongful takeover or utilization of another's rights.

In situations involving theft, for instance, appropriation signifies that the thief has acted as if they have the rights of the true owner over the property, thus denying the actual owner's rights. In the context of this question, it's crucial to highlight that appropriation does not necessarily equate to ownership or legal representation of ownership; instead, it focuses on the actions that infringe upon the rights of the actual owner.

Other options, such as legal representation of ownership, refer more to the formal aspects of ownership—which does not capture the essence of appropriation. The transfer of property ownership involves a legal process where rights are formally exchanged, thus not reflecting the unilateral nature of appropriation. Protection of intellectual property, while related to ownership rights, mainly concerns safeguarding the rights of creators from infringement, rather than the act of appropriation itself.