Is it Legal to use a Title of a movie if it's already been used before?

Question

I'm an independent film-maker and am making a horror movie and want to know if you can use a movie title that's been already used before, but the movie is different then the one the people have already made using the title. Can I as long as I don't try and copyright it? Or as long as I have a differnent script? Or do I have to change the Name a little bit. The name I was going for was The Bloodshed, there have been a movie called Bloodshed, and The Blood Shed. Could I still use the name since it's a little different, since it doesn't have a space? I would still like to know if you can use it if it's already been takin. And if you came up with a movie title but there is a song with the same title can you still make your film with that title, and would I want to copyright it, and how do I copyright it? Or should I not copyright it? Please Help!!! Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Movie names cannot be copyrighted.

Answer 2

Titles by themself have no copyright protection whether a book, play or movie. Suppose you were to write a book about Hollywood and had to pay a fee everytime you mentioned a film by name? Or Blockbuster made an inventory of tapes, but couldn't tabulate them by movie name? Hollywood recycles both scripts and names on a regular basis, you would just be doing what is already traditional.

Answer 3

Well, this may or may not help, but I know three songs by three different groups entitled "Shine" -- seems like there's gotta be a loophole there for ya somewhere.

Have a great night!

Answer 4

sure it is.

check on IMDB - and choose a title - chances are you get several versions all with the same title (different years) but the movies are different.

Answer 5

No.