We currently have Profiles for 'The X-Files' filed under both 'The X-Files' and 'The X Files'.

I'm sure some of us came to an agreement over what the actual Title should be (conclusion: The X-Files) although I can no longer find the relevant thread.

Most releases have 'The X-Files' as the Title, but do they need an Original Title of 'The X Files'?

The actual Title given on-screen is 'The X Files' with a circle around the X, similar to what's given on the front of the packaging. But the rest of the packaging always (as far as I can tell) uses the 'The X-Files'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_X-Files
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106179/

I'm asking, what should we enter in the Title/Original Title fields to keep these Profiles linking together correctly?

Strictly per the rules the rest of the cover (or any other source) don't matter. Other then the clarification of when to use possessives the rules say we must take the title from the front cover alone.

Quoting Addicted2DVD:

Quote:
Strictly per the rules the rest of the cover (or any other source) don't matter. Other then the clarification of when to use possessives the rules say we must take the title from the front cover alone.

If symbols are included, there is a possibility:

Quote:
For titles which include periods, dashes, or other symbols, check the credit block on the back of the case if included. If not, check the film credits or opening sequence. Use these to determine whether to exclude or convert the symbol to a standard character such as ".", "-", or "*"

... and, since the circled X seems to be a symbol, I'd tend to ask the credit block...

Fortunately - for this question - the German title is Akte X without any possibility to create a dash 

Checked the credit block of an US release, and changed my vote either. Though I'm not sure about the original title field. At the end of the credits (on screen) the title is shown without a dash, which contradicts the credit block on the back cover

Edit: Same around here - no possibility to change the vote. Pls. subtract another one from the X Files votes...

Thanks Ken... so is my vote.

Quoting cartman76:

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There is no credit block on any of my UK releases, just references to the title throughout the overview and sometimes in the small copyright text at the bottom.

However, if that is considered to be a credit block, then "The X Files" must be used as Original Title since, as AiAustria pointed out, there is no dash in the on screen title, nor at the end of the on screen credits.

It is selective rule interpretation. None of the TV episodes have a dash in the on screen title. But some of the season release covers have a X inside a circle with a dash following. In this case there is no dash on the front cover and no dash in the on screen episode credits. So any vote other than The X Files for both title fields is a personal preference.

Another case of the lack of knowledge and direction will over rule correct data.

To make it a little bit more complex:

I searched for the registered trademarks for applying word marks.
The word mark "The X-Files" was registered for Twentieth Century Fox but canceled in 2007 (75014247).
The word mark "The X Files" is registered for Twentieth Century Fox and currently valid (75014248).

Both of them show the same graphic logo.

The word mark "X-Files" is registered for Twentieth Century Fox and currently valid (75014241) without a graphical reference.

I'd assume the imprint on the back cover depend on the release date...

Quoting TheMadMartian:

Quote:
The only way it can be entered as 'The X-Files' is if you believe that the 'X' inside of a circle really means 'X-'.  Does anybody here really believe that is the case? 

When Fox isn't displaying the "X" with a circle around it they seem to be displaying it as "X-", so someone with Fox seems to think the answer is "yes".



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