Cologne Regional Court on the applicability of German copyright law to cross-border internet use

In a ruling dated December 21, 2023 (case no. 14 O 292/22), the Regional Court of Cologne addressed fundamental questions regarding the applicability of German copyright law in the context of Internet use across national borders. This judgment is particularly instructive for the practice of copyright law, as it sheds light on the calculation of license-analogue damages in cases of international copyright infringement.

Key points of the ruling

1. Applicability of German copyright law: The court found that German copyright law was applicable to the case in which an Italian company published photographs on its website without permission. Despite the Italian language of the website and the company’s registered office in Italy, the website was also accessible in Germany, which led to the application of German copyright law in accordance with the country of protection principle.
2. Calculation of the license-analogue damages: The court set the damages at 1,500 euros. The calculation takes into account the intensity of use, the quality of the photographs and the effort required to produce them. A deduction was made due to the fact that the German territory was only partially affected, which underlines the complexity of calculating damages in cross-border cases.

Decision and cost allocation

The defendant was ordered to pay EUR 1,500 plus interest and a further amount of EUR 1,175 for pre-trial legal costs. The claim was partially dismissed and the costs of the legal dispute were divided accordingly.

Relevance for legal practice

This ruling is of considerable importance for legal practice, particularly in the area of copyright law. It clarifies that German copyright law can also apply to foreign websites as long as they can be accessed in Germany. This represents an important clarification in case law, as it demonstrates the scope of German copyright law in the digital, globally networked world. The decision emphasizes the need to carefully examine the legality of the use of copyrighted works in order to avoid legal disputes.

The ruling also underlines the importance of the country of protection principle in international copyright law. It shows that the law of the country in which copyright protection is claimed must be taken into account for online content that is available across borders. This has far-reaching implications for website operators, content creators and rights holders, as it implies an increased duty of care in the international distribution of copyrighted works.

Conclusion

The judgment of the Regional Court of Cologne is an important contribution to case law in the field of copyright law. It highlights the challenges posed by the global nature of the Internet and serves as a reminder to respect the copyrights of others and to observe the relevant legal framework.

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.