Property is the means of creating
wealth.
If, as we are constantly told, ideas are the way of creating the future, then intellectual property will not be an oxymoron, but will by the defining concept of the new age.
Looked at from a certain perspective, the internet is nothing more than a way to control the dissemination of ideas.
As we proceed through this century, I expect that we will see more and more means to create and control this new kind of property.
When you discover that some corporation, like, say Doubleclick.net has sold you internet profile to some other company, or insurance company, or some prospective employer of yours, and you have no way to amend outright falsehoods, and lies--or even if it is true, because it is Doubleclick.net's Intellectual property, then you may change your mind.
Also see patent.