Trespass is the unauthorized entry upon the land (real property) of another. Trespass may occur when one enters—or causes something to enter—another's property without permission. The law has traditionally recognized a claim or cause of action for damages based on trespass.

The owner of real property generally has the right to exclude all others from use of the property—although this right to exclude others may be relinquished in limited circumstances, such as when there is an easement allowing another to use the property. As a general rule, any unauthorized entry upon land of another is a trespass even when there is no damage or only slight damage.

Thus, to prove a trespass claim, the plaintiff must show that it owned the property or had a right to exclude others from the property. Some courts have recognized that the right to explore for oil and minerals is a valuable property right that can be legally protected through a trespass claim.

To recover damages for trespass to real property, a plaintiff must prove that: (1) the plaintiff owned or had a lawful right to possess real property; (2) the defendant entered the plaintiff’s land and the entry was physical, intentional, and voluntary; and (3) the defendant’s trespass caused injury to the plaintiff’s right of possession.

The only relevant intent is that of the actor (defendant) to enter the property. The actor’s subjective intent or awareness of the property’s ownership is irrelevant.

In Iowa, trespassing is defined as the unauthorized entry onto someone else's land or property without permission. The law in Iowa recognizes trespass as a legal wrong that can lead to a claim for damages. To establish a trespass claim in Iowa, the plaintiff must demonstrate ownership or the right to possess the property, show that the defendant made an intentional and voluntary physical entry onto the land, and prove that this entry caused harm to the plaintiff's possessory rights. It is important to note that the defendant's intent to trespass is not judged by their knowledge of the property's ownership but rather by their intent to enter the property. This means that even if the defendant did not know they were entering someone else's property, they can still be held liable for trespass if they intended to enter the property. Trespass can result in both civil liability and criminal penalties under Iowa law, and the plaintiff does not need to prove significant damage to prevail in a trespass claim. An attorney can provide specific guidance on how these general principles apply to individual cases.