Intellectual Property (IP) has always been a niche public policy area understood best by policy wonks and lawyers. Unless there is a major controversy, IP tends to escape public consciousness. But that is changing. Over the past few years campaigns to undermine IP have increased and are now reaching a fever pitch. IP is essential because it provides the property rights needed for research and development to attract investment with the prospect of a long-term dividend. Undermining IP is equivalent to the traditional socialist ethos