In law, misappropriation is the unauthorized use of another's name, likeness, identity, property, discoveries, inventions, etc. 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 actions committed by a public official.
Article 17 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption specifies that each State party should criminalize misappropriation, embezzlement, or other diversion of priority by public officials.[1][2]