MovieChat Forums > Trespass (2011) Discussion > How is it that the title 'Trespass' was ...

How is it that the title 'Trespass' was able to be used again...?

posted 13 years ago by savagesketch13
5 replies | jump to latest

The title Trespass was used for a previous film in 1992 with Ice T and Bill Paxton... Don't the older production have the rights to this title? How is it that the new production was able to use a previously used title? The same thing was done with Gladiator... Two films were made years apart with the title Gladiator... What is the rationale, reasoning, and legality for using a previously used title that is NOT a remake...?? Any help?

[–] ferrisbeuller20 13 years ago

Ive actually seen that movie with Ice T and Bill Paxton. It has been 20 yrs almost since the first Trespass so doubt anyone holds the rights to a title. Gladiator was a Oscar movie and wasnt straight to DVD like this movie was, so I think they can get away with it.

Message board, not fan site,if you dont like my comments, gomake oneyourself.

[–] wildpeace10 13 years ago

I don't think you can copyright a title.

[–] swinggold 13 years ago

No you can't. You can find hundreds of movies and music albums with the same title. Don't forget we also have a Jason Statham's new movie, "Killer Elite", that was also the title of a 70's James Caan action movie. That title actually works in favor of the recent movie because the original was a cult classic that featured some martial arts and Statham is also a martial artist so people thought they'd be seeing a remake or sequel. However the new version is a totally unrelated movie.

[–] sweiland75 13 years ago

It would be incredibly stupid, if you could copyright a title like that.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]