Through the copyright protection of titles, work titles, thus the names or special designations of printed works, films, sound recordings, dramatic works or other comparable works are protected. The copyright protection of a title comes into being on principle through taking up use of it, i.e. the use of a title for an existing work in business transactions. In addition, the copyright protection of titles requires an original power of designation.

The start of the use of a title is decisive for the coming into being of copyright protection of a title. However, even before the start of use, protection of the title can be effected by a notice of copyright protection of a title. However, the prerequisite for this is that the work should also appear within a reasonable period under the title. In addition, the notice of copyright protection of a title serves as documentation of the time of the start of use in a case ofcollision.

The copyright protection of a title exists nationwide, provided the title of a work does not just have a localised or regional target group.