IP isn’t just for the smart guys or big players; it is equally important for the struggling artist about to finish a work of art. Or the man in the street who feels uneasy that poorer persons (such as street vendors) are prosecuted - and sometimes put in jail - by multi-billion dollar industries for violating rights in "property" that you cannot touch or see. Or whoever worries that the public's right to information is "hijacked" by people who own such "property" rights.

Even the people who are worried that the “unlicensed" goods that they bought will give them legal troubles are involved with IP. Technically, they are abetting (ie assisting) the lawbreakers. There is no guarantee the police will not track down the customers one day. Which is a good reason to understand and join in the social debates on these issues.

IP is a top priority with government leaders who fear that their countries’ own businessmen and artists are "losing out" in worldwide recognition. They want their own local businesses to succeed in having brand names which are popular throughout the planet. They want their own artists to have works performed all over the globe. This is why governments have signed treaties with each other. After signing the treaties, they promptly set up registries and organizations to recognize or protect ownership of brand names, trade marks, artistic works and designs, inventions etc which have been recognized in other countries.