Trespass is an area of tort law broadly divided into three groups: trespass to the person , trespass to chattels , and trespass to land .
Trespass to the person historically involved six separate trespasses: threats, assault, battery, wounding, mayhem (or maiming), and false imprisonment. [1] Through the evolution of the common law in various jurisdictions, and the codification of common law torts, most jurisdictions now broadly recognize three trespasses to the person: assault, which is "any act of such a nature as to excite an apprehension of battery"; [2] battery, "any intentional and unpermitted contact with the plaintiff's person or anyt
Trespass to chattel does not require a showing of damages. Simply the "intermeddling with or use of … the personal property" of another gives cause of action for trespass. [4] [5] Since CompuServe Inc. v. Cyber Promotions, Inc. , [6] various courts have applied the principles of trespass to chattel to resolve cases involving unsolicited bulk e-mail and unauthorized server usage. [7] [8] [9] [10]