What intentional tort occurs when one takes another's personal property with the aim of depriving the owner of it?

The intentional tort that occurs when one takes another's personal property with the aim of depriving the owner of it is conversion. This tort involves not just the act of taking, but also the intention to permanently deprive the owner of their property. In legal terms, conversion is treated very seriously because it goes beyond mere temporary interference with the owner's use or possession of their property; it implies a disregard for the rights of the property owner.

In the context of conversion, the act can involve theft, but it can also include situations where someone takes property without a legitimate purpose or right to do so and refuses to return it. This intent to permanently deprive the owner is key to establishing conversion.

While trespass to chattel involves the interference with another's personal property, it does not necessarily include the intention to permanently deprive the owner of that property. This marks a significant difference from conversion, which requires the intention to completely remove the property from the owner's control. Other options like fraud and defamation relate to misrepresentation and harm to reputation, respectively, and do not pertain to the physical taking of property.