Are play titles copyrighted?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 6:57pm

Yes/no?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 6:59pm

I don't think titles are copywriteable regardless of the medium.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 7:09pm

That's what I thought.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 8:07pm

Titles can never be copyrighted. They can, however be trademarked in certain instances (and usually for a limited amount of time).

[Fosse76]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 8:58pm

"Titles can never be copyrighted. They can, however be trademarked in certain instances (and usually for a limited amount of time)."

That is correct, although ALL Trademarks are limited, but they CAN be renewed.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:08pm

I thought song titles could be copy writted which is why kander and ebbs song is the theme from new york new york because the title new york new york was already in another show? I thought I remember reading that. Maybe they just didnt use the same title out of respect?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:09pm

Or maybe "New York, New York" was trademarked.

I know I've heard of songs with the same title before. Example "Big Girls Don't Cry". It's a Frankie Valli song and it's a Fergie song...and Fergie's isn't a cover.

Updated On: 10/14/07 at 11:09 PM

[DesperatelySeekingStranger]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 11:57pm

There's also Peggy Lee's "Fever" and Kylie Minogue's "Fever", two different songs. And even Madonna has two songs called "Forbidden Love", she clearly was having a senior moment...