• Areas of expertise
  • |
  • About me
  • |
  • Principles as a lawyer
  • |
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
  • info@itmedialaw.com
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Ideal partner
      • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Video series – about me
      • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
      • Principles as a lawyer
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Nerd und Rechtsanwalt
      • Ideal partner
      • How can I help clients?
    • Über die Kanzlei
      • How clients benefit from my network of colleagues, partners and service providers
      • Quick and flexible access
      • Agile and lean law firm
      • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
      • Price overview
    • How can I help clients?
    • Sonstige Informationen
      • Einwilligungen widerrufen
      • Privatsphäre-Einstellungen ändern
      • Historie der Privatsphäre-Einstellungen
      • Privacy policy
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Leistungen
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Support with the foundation
      • Games law consulting
      • Advice in e-commerce
      • Support and advice of agencies
      • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
      • Legal compliance and expert opinions
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Arbeitsschwerpunkte
      • Games and esports law
        • Esports. What is it?
      • Corporate law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Consulting for influencers and streamers
        • Influencer & Streamer
      • Contract review and preparation
      • DLT and Blockchain consulting
        • Blockchain Overview
      • Investment advice
      • AI and SaaS
  • Artikel/News
    • Langartikel / Guides
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Law on the Internet
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Online retail
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Labour law
    • Tax
    • Kanzlei News
    • Other
  • Videos/Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Kurz-Podcast
  • Knowledge base
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Ideal partner
      • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Video series – about me
      • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
      • Principles as a lawyer
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Nerd und Rechtsanwalt
      • Ideal partner
      • How can I help clients?
    • Über die Kanzlei
      • How clients benefit from my network of colleagues, partners and service providers
      • Quick and flexible access
      • Agile and lean law firm
      • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
      • Price overview
    • How can I help clients?
    • Sonstige Informationen
      • Einwilligungen widerrufen
      • Privatsphäre-Einstellungen ändern
      • Historie der Privatsphäre-Einstellungen
      • Privacy policy
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Leistungen
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Support with the foundation
      • Games law consulting
      • Advice in e-commerce
      • Support and advice of agencies
      • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
      • Legal compliance and expert opinions
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Arbeitsschwerpunkte
      • Games and esports law
        • Esports. What is it?
      • Corporate law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Consulting for influencers and streamers
        • Influencer & Streamer
      • Contract review and preparation
      • DLT and Blockchain consulting
        • Blockchain Overview
      • Investment advice
      • AI and SaaS
  • Artikel/News
    • Langartikel / Guides
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Law on the Internet
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Online retail
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Labour law
    • Tax
    • Kanzlei News
    • Other
  • Videos/Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Kurz-Podcast
  • Knowledge base
  • Contact
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
Home Copyright

Kraftwerk, sound sequences, copyright – The Neverending Story now at the ECJ

18. September 2023
in Copyright
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0 0
A A
0
copyright
Key Facts
  • The Federal Court of Justice refers questions on the definition of pastiche to the ECJ for clarification in copyright matters.
  • The plaintiffs are members of the music group Kraftwerk, who released the song "Metall auf Metall" in 1977.
  • Defendants sampled two seconds from "Metall auf Metall" for the track "Nur mir", which led to a legal dispute.
  • The BGH initially dismissed the action and referred the case back for a new decision.
  • The proceedings revolve around the definition of pastiche in the context of sampling and copyright protection.
  • The relevant question is whether the use for a pastiche requires an intention on the part of the user or simply recognizability.
  • The case could have far-reaching implications for artistic freedom and the rights of authors.

The German Federal Court of Justice has decided to refer questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union for clarification of the copyright concept of pastiche.

Content Hide
1. Facts:
2. Previous process history:
3. Decision of the Federal Court of Justice:

Facts:

The first plaintiff and the former second plaintiff, who died on April 21, 2020 and whose legal successor is the current second plaintiff, were members of the music group “Kraftwerk”. The latter released a record in 1977, on which the musical piece “Metal on Metal” can be found. Defendants 2 and 3 are the composers of the title “Nur mir” (“Only Me”), which defendant 1 recorded with singer Sabrina Setlur on recordings released in 1997.

To produce the title, the defendants had electronically copied (“sampled”) two seconds of a rhythm sequence from the title “Metal on Metal” and added it to the title “Only Me” in continuous repetition.

The plaintiffs regard this as an infringement of their rights as producers of sound recordings and of the copyright of the first plaintiff. They have filed a claim against the defendants for an injunction to produce and market sound recordings with the recording “Nur mir”. They also demanded a declaration that the defendant was liable for damages, the provision of information, and the surrender of the sound recordings for the purpose of destruction.

Previous process history:

The district court upheld the action. The defendant’s appeal has been unsuccessful. On appeal by the defendant, the Federal Court of Justice reversed the judgment on appeal and referred the case back to the Higher Regional Court for a new hearing and decision.

The Higher Regional Court again dismissed the defendant’s appeal. The Federal Court of Justice rejected the defendant’s renewed appeal. The Federal Constitutional Court overturned the appeal judgments and the second appeal judgment and referred the case back to the Federal Court of Justice. The latter then referred questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union on the interpretation of Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonization of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society and Directive 2006/115/EC on rental right and lending right and on certain rights related to copyright in the field of intellectual property, which the Court answered in its judgment of July 29, 2019.

By the third appeal judgment, the Senate reversed the decision of the Court of Appeal on the appeal of the defendant and referred the case back to the Court of Appeal for a new hearing and decision. The Court of Appeal then amended the judgment of the Regional Court to the effect that the defendants were ordered to provide information on the number of sound recordings of the title “Nur mir” produced and/or delivered between December 22, 2002 and June 7, 2021 and to surrender copies of these sound recordings for the purpose of destruction, while dismissing the further action, and that their obligation to pay damages was established in this respect.

The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal insofar as it found to the detriment of the plaintiffs with regard to the claims asserted from June 7, 2021. In their appeal, which the defendants request be dismissed, the plaintiffs continue to pursue their claims asserted in the action from June 7, 2021.

Decision of the Federal Court of Justice:

The Federal Court of Justice has now suspended the proceedings again and referred questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union on the interpretation of Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of May 22, 2001 on the harmonization of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society.

The appeal is successful if the Court of Appeal wrongly assumed that the claims asserted by the plaintiffs are excluded as of June 7, 2021, because the adoption of the rhythm sequence from the title “Metal on Metal” by way of sampling is a permissible use for the purpose of pastiche pursuant to Section 51a sentence 1 UrhG in the version applicable as of June 7, 2021, so that there is no infringement of the ancillary copyrights asserted by the plaintiffs as producers of sound recordings or performing artists and of the copyright of the first plaintiff.

This is what matters in the dispute because the musical piece “Nur mir” does not meet the requirements of a caricature or parody of the musical piece “Metall auf Metall” for lack of expression of humor or mockery (see BGHZ 225, 222 [juris, marginal no. 63] – Metall auf Metall IV).

In the view of the Federal Court of Justice, the first question is whether the restriction on use for the purpose of pastiches within the meaning of Art. 5 para. 3(k) of Directive 2001/29/EC is a catch-all provision in any case for an artistic treatment of a pre-existing work or other object of reference, including sampling, and whether restrictive criteria such as the requirement of humor, imitation of style or homage apply to the concept of pastiche.

The pastiche barrier could be understood as a general barrier to artistic freedom, which is necessary because artistic freedom cannot be given the necessary scope in all cases solely due to the immanent limitation of the scope of protection of exploitation rights to a use of works and performances in a recognizable form (cf. ECJ, GRUR 2019, 929 [juris para. 31] – Pelham et al.) and the other barrier regulations such as parody, caricature and quotation in particular. The technique of “electronic copying of audio fragments” (sampling) at issue here, in which a user takes an audio fragment from a sound carrier and uses it to create a new work, is a form of artistic expression that falls under the freedom of art protected by Art. 13 EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (ECJ, GRUR 2019, 929 [juris marginal no. 35] – Pelham et al.; on Art. 5 (3) sentence 1 GG cf. BVerfGE 142, 74 [juris marginal no. 89]).

The rights of authors, phonogram producers and performers under Art. 2 and 3 of Directive 2001/29/EC enjoy intellectual property protection under Art. 17 para. 2 EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The objective of an appropriate balance of rights and interests is supported by the principle of equal treatment set forth in Art. 5 Par. 5 of Directive 2001/29/EC takes into account the “three-step test”, the requirements of which are met according to the findings of the Court of Appeal.

Next, according to the Federal Court of Justice, the further question arises as to whether the use “for the purpose” of a pastiche within the meaning of Art. 5 para. 3(k) of Directive 2001/29/EC requires a finding of an intention on the part of the user to use an object of copyright protection for the purpose of a pastiche, or whether the recognizability of its character as a pastiche is sufficient for a person who is aware of the referenced object of copyright protection and who has the intellectual understanding necessary to perceive the pastiche.

Tags: billDamagesEuFederal constitutional courtFederal courtJudgmentLawsuitTestUrheberrecht

Beliebte Beträge

Legally compliant contract drafting for software development on no-code platforms

Legally compliant contract drafting for software development on no-code platforms
26. April 2025

No-code and low-code platforms enable start-ups and agencies to develop software and digital products quickly and without in-depth programming knowledge....

Read moreDetails

Open source in software development: legal principles and practice

Open source in software development: legal principles and practice
17. April 2025

Open source software has become an integral part of modern software development - whether in the development of computer games(game...

Read moreDetails

Contracts with co-development studios: IP splitting, rights allocation and risk allocation

Contracts with co-development studios: IP splitting, rights allocation and risk allocation
23. April 2025

International collaboration in software and game development offers great opportunities - from shared expertise to faster product creation. However, co-development...

Read moreDetails

Unjustified IP warning: What to do with strikes on social media?

copyright
23. January 2025

Content creators on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube or Twitch are increasingly confronted with legal challenges that go far beyond...

Read moreDetails

Property rights to algorithms: Typical questions and legal answers

ECJ: Advocate General assesses sampling as copyright infringement
15. January 2025

Time and again, clients ask the question: "Who actually owns the rights to an algorithm?" This question is not only...

Read moreDetails

Influencer marketing contracts & content creator law

cc4cbb3206a631e8b56c3bdf22a57e6c
8. December 2024

When I founded JustGamers 25 years ago, "influencers" were still the gaming magazines that reported on new computer games in...

Read moreDetails

License agreements for software start-ups

License agreements for software start-ups: How to optimally protect your intellectual property
13. October 2024

For software start-ups, intellectual property is often the most valuable asset. The correct drafting of license agreements is therefore crucial...

Read moreDetails

Legal protection when using open source software in commercial products

Legal protection when using open source software in commercial products
16. October 2024

The integration of open source software (OSS) into commercial products offers start-ups and established companies alike enormous advantages: from cost...

Read moreDetails

Copyright in the digital age

Copyright in the digital age: What start-ups should look out for
10. October 2024

In the age of digitalization, start-ups face particular challenges in the area of copyright law. Rapid technological development and increasing...

Read moreDetails

5.0 60 reviews

  • Avatar Mikael Hällgren ★★★★★ vor einem Monat
    I got fantastic support from Marian Härtel. He managed to get my wrongfully suspended Instagram account restored. He was … Mehr incredibly helpful the whole way until the positive outcome. Highly recommended!
  • Avatar Lennart Korte ★★★★★ vor 2 Monaten
    Ich kann Herrn Härtel als Anwalt absolut weiterempfehlen! Sein Service ist erstklassig – schnelle Antwortzeiten, effiziente … Mehr Arbeit und dabei sehr kostengünstig, was für Startups besonders wichtig ist. Er hat für mein Startup einen Vertrag erstellt, und ich bin von seiner professionellen und zuverlässigen Arbeit überzeugt. Klare Empfehlung!
  • Avatar R.H. ★★★★★ vor 3 Monaten
    Ich kann Hr. Härtel nur empfehlen! Er hat mich bei einem Betrugsversuch einer Krypto Börse rechtlich vertreten. Ich bin sehr … Mehr zufrieden mit seiner engagierten Arbeit gewesen. Ich wurde von Anfang an kompetent, fair und absolut transparent beraten. Trotz eines zähen Verfahrens und einer großen Börse als Gegner, habe ich mich immer sicher und zuversichtlich gefühlt. Auch die Schnelligkeit und die sehr gute Erreichbarkeit möchte ich an der Stelle hoch loben und nochmal meinen herzlichsten Dank aussprechen! Daumen hoch mit 10 Sternen!
  • Avatar P! Galerie ★★★★★ vor 4 Monaten
    Herr Härtel hat uns äusserst kompetent in einen lästigen Fall mit META betreut. Er war effizient, beharrlich, aber auch mit … Mehr uns geduldig. Menschlich top, bis wir am Ende Dank ihm erfolgreich zum Ziel gekommen sind. Können wir wärmstens empfehlen. Und nochmals danke. P.H.
  • Avatar Mosaic Mask Studio ★★★★★ vor 5 Monaten
    Die Kanzlei ist immer ein verlässlicher Partner bei der Sichtung und Bearbeitung von Verträgen in der IT Branche. Es ist … Mehr stets ein professioneller Austausch auf Augenhöhe.
    Die Ergebnisse sind auf hohem Niveau und haben die interessen unsers Unternehmens immer bestmöglich wiedergespiegelt.
    Vielen Dank für die sehr gute Zusammenarbeit.
  • Avatar Philip Lucas ★★★★★ vor 8 Monaten
    Wir haben Herrn Härtel für unser Unternehmen konsultiert und sind äußerst zufrieden mit seiner Arbeit. Von Anfang an hat … Mehr er einen überaus kompetenten Eindruck gemacht und sich als ein sehr angenehmer Gesprächspartner erwiesen. Seine fachliche Expertise und seine verständliche und zugängliche Art im Umgang mit komplexen Themen haben uns überzeugt. Wir freuen uns auf eine langfristige und erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit!
  • Avatar Doris H. ★★★★★ vor 10 Monaten
    Herr Härtel hat uns bezüglich eines Telefonvertrags beraten und vertreten. Wir waren mit seinem Service sehr zufrieden. Er … Mehr hat stets schnell auf unsere E-mails und Anrufe reagiert und den Sachverhalt einfach und verständlich erklärt. Wir würden Herrn Härtel jederzeit wieder beauftragen.Vielen Dank für die hervorragende Unterstützung
  • Avatar Philipp Skaar ★★★★★ vor 8 Monaten
    Als kleines inhabergeführtes Hotel sehen wir uns ab und dann (bei sonst weit über dem Durchschnitt liegenden Bewertungen) … Mehr der Herausforderung von aus der Anonymität heraus agierenden "Netz-Querulanten" gegenüber gestellt. Herr Härtel versteht es außerordentlich spür- und feinsinnig, derartige - oftmals auf Rufschädigung ausgerichtete - Bewertungen bereits im Keim, also außergerichtlich, zu ersticken und somit unseren Betrieb vor weiteren Folgeschäden zu bewahren. Seine Umsetzungsgeschwindigkeit ist beeindruckend, seine bisherige Erfolgsquote = 100%.Ergo: Unsere erste Adresse zur Abwehr von geschäftsschädigenden Angriffen aus dem Web.
  • ●
  • ●
  • ●
  • ●

Video-Galerie

Legal pitfalls for influencers: identifiability and injunctive relief
Legal pitfalls for influencers: identifiability and injunctive relief
Podcasts and the law: essential tips for content creators
Podcasts and the law: essential tips for content creators
Exciting everyday life as an IT lawyer
Exciting everyday life as an IT lawyer
Forfeiture

Forfeiture

16. October 2024

Definition and legal basis: Forfeiture is a legal institution of German civil law based on the principle of good faith...

Read moreDetails
Provider liability

Provider liability

16. October 2024
Trade Regulation Act (GewO)

Trade Regulation Act (GewO)

1. July 2023
Bootstrapping

Bootstrapping

27. June 2023
Immediate complaint

Immediate complaint

30. June 2023

Podcast Folgen

Rechtliche Grundlagen und Praxis von Open Source in der Softwareentwicklung

Rechtliche Grundlagen und Praxis von Open Source in der Softwareentwicklung

19. April 2025

In dieser Episode werfen Anna und Max einen Blick auf die rechtlichen Grundlagen rund um den Einsatz von Open-Source-Software in...

Das Metaverse – Rechtliche Herausforderungen in virtuellen Welten

Das Metaverse – Rechtliche Herausforderungen in virtuellen Welten

25. September 2024

In dieser faszinierenden Episode tauchen wir tief in die rechtlichen Aspekte des Metaverse ein. Als Rechtsanwalt und Technik-Enthusiast beleuchte ich...

KI im Rechtssystem: Auf dem Weg in eine digitale Zukunft der Justiz

KI im Rechtssystem: Auf dem Weg in eine digitale Zukunft der Justiz

13. October 2024

In dieser faszinierenden Podcastfolge tauchen wir tief in die Welt der künstlichen Intelligenz (KI) und ihre Auswirkungen auf unser Rechtssystem...

Digitale Souveränität: Europas Weg in eine selbstbestimmte digitale Zukunft

Digitale Souveränität: Europas Weg in eine selbstbestimmte digitale Zukunft

12. November 2024

In dieser spannenden Episode des itmedialaw.com Podcasts tauchen wir tief in das hochaktuelle Thema der digitalen Souveränität ein. Vor dem...

  • Home
  • Imprint
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • Agile and lean law firm
  • Ideal partner
  • Contact
  • Videos
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?

Retrieve your password

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

Log In
  • Contact
  • Leistungen
    • Support with the foundation
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Games law consulting
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
    • Investment advice
    • Booking as speaker
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Contract review and preparation
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Focus on start-ups
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus on start-ups
    • How can I help clients?
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Videos
    • Video series – about me
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos on services
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Shorts
    • Third-party videos
    • Podcast format
    • Other videos
  • Knowledge base
  • Podcast
  • Blogposts
    • Lange Artikel / Ausführungen
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Labour law
    • EU law
    • Corporate
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • Tax
    • Internally
    • Other
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung