theft is the act of stealing; specifically: the felonious taking and removing of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it.Does making a copy of my idea "deprive" me of it? If we grant a monopoly over the "idea" of Mickey Mouse, or over soap the only right you have is the exclusive right to do business with your customers. So the only thing I can "steal" from you are your customers. But your customers might not be so eager to be your property.