Can you use a book title that has already been used? This is a question that many authors face when they are trying to come up with a title for their work. The answer, unfortunately, is not always black and white.
In this blog post, we will discuss the factors you need to consider before making a decision about whether or not to use a book title that has already been used.
What Are Some Things to Consider Before Using a Book Title That's Already Been Used?
Before using a book title that's already been used, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, titles and names are not protected by copyright, so you don't need to worry about getting permission from the author or publisher.
Secondly, book titles cannot be trademarked, so you won't be able to protect your title from being copied.
However, book series titles can be trademarked once you have more than 1 book published with that title.
That being said, if you're planning on using a title that's already been used, it's important to make sure that your book is significantly different from the other book with the same title.
Otherwise, you run the risk of confusing potential readers and harming your sales. In many cases, this can be avoided altogether by researching other titles that might be a better fit for your book, upfront.
No Title Trademarking, What About Copyright?
Copyright is a legal protection that authors have over their intellectual property.
Copyright law gives authors the right to reproduce their work, distribute it, create derivative works from it, and protect it with a copyright notice.
Copyright protection applies to all types of works, including books, music, art, movies, software, and other types of intellectual property.
Authors can use copyright to prevent others from unauthorized use of their work.
Copyright protection typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. After that time, the work is considered to be in the public domain and can be used by anyone without permission from the author.
Choosing A Taken Title In The Same Genre
When it comes to choosing a book title, there are no hard and fast rules. However, if you opt for a title that has already been used by another author, in the same genre as the other book with the same title, readers may confuse the two.
In addition, if your book is shelved next to the other book with the same title, readers may mistakenly grab the wrong one.
For these reasons alone, it is important to choose a title that will clearly distinguish your book from others in its genre. Another thing to consider is the popularity of the other book with the same title.
If it is a bestseller, potential readers may assume that your book is simply a copycat and not worth their time.
On the other hand, if the other book is not well known, using its title could help generate interest in your own book.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a title for your book. However, taking into account factors such as genre and popularity can help you make a decision that is best for your book.
4 Other Things to Keep in Mind when Choosing a Book Title
In addition to considering the factors we've discussed above, there are a few other things to keep in mind when choosing a book title.
Your Title Should Be Catchy
First and foremost, your title should be reflective of the content of your book. A catchy or attention-grabbing title is all well and good, but if it doesn't accurately reflect the subject matter of your book, you're likely to disappoint potential readers.
Your Title Should Be Memorable
When choosing a title for your book, you want to make sure it's something that people will remember.
A good way to test the memorability of your title is to say it out loud a few times. If it's something that you can easily remember and say, it's likely that potential readers will be able to do the same.
Your Title Should Be Easy to Pronounce
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many book titles are difficult to pronounce.
When choosing a title for your book, make sure it's something that can be easily said out loud. Otherwise, you run the risk of people forgetting or mispronouncing it.
Your Title Should Be Short and Sweet
Last but not least, your title should be short and sweet. A long or convoluted title is likely to turn potential readers off before they even get to the content of your book.
The bottom line is that your title should be reflective of the content of your book, and easy to remember, pronounce, and spell.
