The title of a work is the name or designation of a work of art and an important factor in the successful marketing of a book. The title serves to differentiate the work from other works of its kind. The content of a work of art is made clearly accessible. The title of a work allows it to be reviewed and offered without confusion, so that everyone has the same work in mind when they see that title.

Not only when working with publishers, but also when self-publishing, one question in particular arises before the work is released to others: Who owns the title of the work? Which title may be chosen for the work depends on whether this title already belongs to someone else—in other words, whether an author or publisher has registered the corresponding title protection or is already using it. Once title protection has been registered, the title of the work is protected by copyright and may only be used in connection with the corresponding content of the designated work. This prevents confusion, allowing for a universal discourse about the works. Even without a title protection notice, titles that have been used may not be reused in the same industry.