• Mehr als 3 Millionen Wörter Inhalt
  • |
  • info@itmedialaw.com
  • |
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

No products in the cart.

  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

A comprehensive guide to the imprint requirement for streamers

5. November 2018
in Competition law
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
0
youtube 3327676 640

In recent weeks, I have received numerous inquiries regarding the imprint requirement for Twitch streamers and YouTubers. Therefore, I decided to write a comprehensive guide on the subject. This article should come as no surprise to experienced entrepreneurs, as it does not contain any complicated legal concepts. Nevertheless, it could be helpful for many streamers who have not yet dealt with this issue.

Do I need an imprint as a streamer?

The short and concise answer in most cases is: Yes!

But why is that? To answer this question, we need to take a closer look at the legal basis and related circumstances.

Anyone who operates a telemedium, as is the case with Twitch or YouTube, must adhere to the rules set out in the Telemedia Act (TMG), the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty (RStV) and other laws such as the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV).

The exception to the rule

The only exception is for those who run a purely private Twitch channel. However, this is rarely the case, as Twitch and YouTube, at least above a certain size, generate revenue from various sources, such as subscriptions, donations, advertising fees and the like. This income is sufficient in most cases (99.99% to be exact) to be considered a commercial activity.

It is a common misconception that you must be able to make a living from your business or that you must make a profit to be considered a business. Both are definitely wrong. In addition, the imprint obligation applies not only to companies, but also to individuals.

It is already sufficient that someone could potentially generate revenue, regardless of whether revenue is actually currently being generated. This point can rarely be refuted.

According to § 5 TMG, service providers must provide the following information:

  1. The name and address at which they are established, in addition, in the case of legal entities, the legal form, the authorized representative and, if information is provided on the capital of the company, the share or nominal capital and, if not all contributions to be made in cash have been paid in, the total amount of outstanding contributions,
  2. information that enables rapid electronic contact and direct communication with them, including the address of the electronic mail,
  3. If the service is offered or provided as part of an activity that requires official authorization, information on the responsible supervisory authority,
  4. The commercial register, register of associations, register of partnerships or register of cooperatives in which they are registered and the corresponding register number, […]
  5. In cases where they have a VAT identification number pursuant to Section 27a of the Value Added Tax Act or a business identification number pursuant to Section 139c of the Tax Code, the indication of this number.

The Broadcasting State Treaty

Similar requirements arise from Section 55 of the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty. This additionally stipulates that for streams that are of an editorial nature (such as gaming streams that rate or test games), a responsible person must also be named with the name and address.

The lack of an imprint can lead to a warning letter with costs from a competing streamer, against which you can hardly object. Therefore I strongly advise to create an imprint, even if you are not sure if it is necessary.

The issue of commerciality raises numerous other questions, from tax issues to business registration. I will cover these topics in other articles in the coming weeks and months.

Marian Härtel
Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.

Tags: Commercial registerGamingImprint obligationInformationLawsTelemediaTestTwitchVatWarningYouTubeYouTuber

Weitere spannende Blogposts

Preparing for the Digital Service Act as a business

Preparing for the Digital Service Act as a business
2. January 2023

Introduction The Digital Service Act is a much-discussed topic. It has many implications for businesses and consumers that need to...

Read moreDetails

File sharing: Liability for family connection

Online retailer: Notice of warranty of defects
7. November 2022

The Frankfurt District Court has ruled that the owner of an Internet connection is liable for copyright infringements through file...

Read moreDetails

Soundboard for famous YouTuber? Mostly illegal!

Soundboard for famous YouTuber? Mostly illegal!
7. November 2022

Great YouTubers often have a large following. Accordingly, third markets often form around them. These include apps called "Soundboard." However,...

Read moreDetails

PackG: Affiliates, Merchshops, Dropshipping affected?

PackG: Affiliates, Merchshops, Dropshipping affected?
30. December 2018

Does the PackG apply to streamers, esport teams, etc.? In line with my post from yesterday, I would like to...

Read moreDetails

NFT and esports: an additional income opportunity or high legal hurdles?

What is “digital property” and how can I benefit from it?
16. May 2023

Introduction to NFTs and Digital Assets Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are an emerging area of digital assets based on blockchain technology....

Read moreDetails

ECJ: Time recording mandatory for companies

14. May 2019

Especially in start-ups or smaller media companies that I supervise, the matter of accurate time recording is not taken so...

Read moreDetails

Is an artist’s name sufficient in the imprint?

Imprint and social media: A few stumbling blocks
5. April 2019

Basically, there are clear rules in Germany about what belongs in an imprint. For Twitch I have written something about...

Read moreDetails

BGH on the OS-Link (EU Dispute Settlement Platform)

Attention: Vouchers to existing customers can be advertising!
19. September 2019

Now and then, as a lawyer, I suspect that colleagues and courts are too boring when they decide on legal...

Read moreDetails

Unsuccessful constitutional complaint against obligation to transmit IP addresses

Court case via internet chat
7. November 2022

It does not violate the German Basic Law that the provider of an e-mail service is obliged, in the context...

Read moreDetails
Eigentum an Software – Wem gehört eigentlich der Code?
Copyright

Eigentum an Software – Wem gehört eigentlich der Code?

14. July 2025

Während ich an meinem eigenen WordPress-Plugin code, taucht immer wieder eine Frage auf: Gehört mir diese Software wirklich? Im Alltagsverständnis...

Read moreDetails
Startup ohne Entwickler?

Startup ohne Entwickler?

8. July 2025
Keine stillschweigende AGB-Änderung – Schweigen gilt nicht als Zustimnung

Keine stillschweigende AGB-Änderung – Schweigen gilt nicht als Zustimnung

7. July 2025
So langsam nimmt der Shop Form an

So langsam nimmt der Shop Form an

3. July 2025
Dark Patterns: UX-Tricks im Visier von Gesetzgeber und Gerichten

Dark Patterns: UX-Tricks im Visier von Gesetzgeber und Gerichten

2. July 2025

Podcastfolge

Auf der dunklen Seite? Ein Rechtsanwalt im Spannungsfeld innovativer Startups

Auf der dunklen Seite? Ein Rechtsanwalt im Spannungsfeld innovativer Startups

25. September 2024

In dieser persönlichen und fesselnden Episode taucht der erfahrene IT- und Medienrechtsanwalt tief in die Grauzone seiner beruflichen Tätigkeit ein....

Read moreDetails
Die Romantisierung des Prinzips ‘Fail Fast’ in Startups – Wann wird Scheitern zur Täuschung gegenüber Beteiligten?

Die Romantisierung des Prinzips ‘Fail Fast’ in Startups – Wann wird Scheitern zur Täuschung gegenüber Beteiligten?

20. April 2025
“Digitales Recht Entschlüsselt” mit Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel

“Digitales Recht Entschlüsselt” mit Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel

25. September 2024
Globale Herausforderungen für Startups – Ein rechtlicher Leitfaden

Globale Herausforderungen für Startups – Ein rechtlicher Leitfaden

2. October 2024
KI im Recht: Chancen, Risiken und Regulierung – der IT Media Law Podcast Episode 3

KI im Recht: Chancen, Risiken und Regulierung – der IT Media Law Podcast Episode 3

28. August 2024

Video

Mein transparente Abrechnung

Mein transparente Abrechnung

10. February 2025

In diesem Video rede ich ein wenig über transparente Abrechnung und wie ich kommuniziere, was es kostet, wenn man mit...

Read moreDetails
Faszination zwischen und Recht und Technologie

Faszination zwischen und Recht und Technologie

10. February 2025
Meine zwei größten Herausforderungen sind?

Meine zwei größten Herausforderungen sind?

10. February 2025
Was mich wirklich freut

Was mich wirklich freut

10. February 2025
Was ich an meinem Job liebe!

Was ich an meinem Job liebe!

10. February 2025
  • Privacy policy
  • Imprint
  • Contact
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
Marian Härtel, Rathenaustr. 58a, 14612 Falkensee, info@itmedialaw.com

Marian Härtel - Rechtsanwalt für IT-Recht, Medienrecht und Startups, mit einem Fokus auf innovative Geschäftsmodelle, Games, KI und Finanzierungsberatung.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung