The radical meaning of this word appears to be that of a mark, style, or designation ; a distinctive appellation; the way by which anything is known. Thus, in the law of persons, a title is an appellation of dignity or distinction, a name denoting the social rank of the person bearing it; as “duke” or “count.” So, in legislation , the title of a statute is the heading or preliminary part, furnishing the name by which the act is individually known. It is usually prefixed to the statute in the form of a brief summary of its contents; as “An act for the prevention of gaming.” Again, the title of a patent is the short description of the invention, which is copied in the letters patent from the inventor’s petition; c. g., “a new and improved method of drying and preparing malt.” Johns. Pat. Man. 90. In the law of trademarks, a title may become a subject of property; as one who has adopted a particular title for a newspaper, or other business enterprise, may, by long and prior user, or by compliance with statutory provisions as to registration and notice, acquire a right to be protected in tlie exclusive use of it Abbott. The title of a book, or any literary composition . is its name; that is, the heading or caption prefixed to it, and disclosing the distinctive appellation by which it is to be known. This usually comprises a brief description of its subject-matter and the name of its author. “Title” is also used as the name of one of the subdivisions employed in many literary works, standing intermediate between the divisions denoted by the term “books” or “parts,” and those designated as “chapters” and “sections.” In real property law . Title is the means whereby the owner of lands has the just possession of his property. Co. Litt 345; 2 Bl. Comm. 195. Title is the mean whereby a person’s right to property is established. Code Ga. 1S82.
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