Such activity may take the form of intellectual or artistic creation, a social achievement or the mobilisation of public opinion.

UNESCO: Apply for UNESCO Prizes

At the heart of most thinking about innovation is the belief that people expect to be paid for their creative work: hence the need to protect and reward the creation of intellectual property.

ECONOMIST: The future of innovation

Nano-composite plastics are going to be a major component of nano-enhanced food packaging, and Nanocor has more than 40 issued patents in its intellectual property portfolio, primarily regarding the creation of nanoclays and nanomer surface treatments.

FORBES: Safer And Guilt-Free Nano Foods

The most controversial aspect of the new law is the creation of a government committee on intellectual property with the power to close suspect websites pending the outcome of any court appeal.

ECONOMIST: A haven for digital pirates at last gets tougher

Which means intellectual classroom knowledge has nothing to do with wealth creation.

FORBES: How To Improve Your Wealth Creation Competence

Mr von Thadden is the first intellectual to be appointed to a job reserved since its creation in 1963 for diplomats and politicians.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

And the first rumblings of a rights-management system for controlling the sharing of physical things are appearing: The IP-hoarding firm Intellectual Ventures received a patent in October for a 3-D printer feature that blocks the creation of verboten objects.

FORBES: Inside Thingiverse, The Radically Open Website Powering The 3D Printing Movement