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Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

OLG Hamburg decides: Only lawyers may remove reviews with legal justifications

6. December 2023
in Law on the Internet
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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olg hamburg entscheidet nur rechtsanwaelte duerfen bewertungen mit juristischen begruendungen entfernen
Key Facts
  • The ruling of the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg concerns the deletion of internet reviews by unqualified companies.
  • Complaints require a legal examination and are therefore legal services requiring a license.
  • Only lawyers may provide such services, not persons without legal qualifications.
  • Messenger activity is only permitted if it does not require legal interpretation.
  • Companies must make use of legal expertise to check whether reviews are unlawful.
  • Independent legal examinations are not permitted without admission; however, messenger activities are permitted.
  • The ruling sends a clear signal for the protection of legal services and the importance of legal professionalization.

Background of the case

Content Hide
1. Background of the case
2. Core of the judgment and its justification
3. The role of the messenger
4. Conclusion
4.1. Author: Marian Härtel

In its ruling (5 U 25/233), the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg made an important decision concerning the deletion of internet reviews. The focus was on two companies that objected to and deleted negative internet reviews for clients without a license to practice law or permission under the Legal Services Act.

Core of the judgment and its justification

In its ruling, the court made it clear that objecting to customer reviews, if it is based on legal grounds, constitutes a legal service requiring a license. These activities are reserved exclusively for lawyers and may not be carried out by persons without appropriate legal qualifications. Complaints about ratings require a detailed legal examination of each individual case. This examination involves the precise analysis and application of the relevant legal provisions to the specific facts of the case, which goes far beyond a general or schematic application of legal norms. The court emphasized that such an examination requires sound legal knowledge in order to be able to correctly assess the legal scope and consequences of each evaluation.

The role of the messenger

The ruling by the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg makes a significant distinction with regard to the role of messenger activity in the objection to internet reviews. It is explicitly clarified that a service in the area of complaints about reviews is only permissible if it is limited exclusively to a messenger activity and the reason for the removal of the review comes directly from the customer. This specific form of messenger activity, in which a service provider merely acts as a transmitter of the reasons formulated by the client, does not fall under the category of legal services requiring a license.

The court emphasizes that pure messenger activity represents a clear distinction from legal services requiring a license. In this context, the service provider does not act as a legal advisor or auditor, but solely as a mediator of the client’s concerns. This activity does not require any legal assessment or interpretation by the service provider itself. Instead, the justification provided by the customer is forwarded to the rating portals without any changes or additional legal assessments.

The ruling also underlines the need for companies that want to check reviews for illegality and object to them to make use of legal expertise. It clarifies the protective function of the Legal Services Act for legal transactions and the legal system by preventing the provision of unqualified legal services. For companies, this means that they have to adapt their services accordingly. Independent legal justifications or examinations are not permitted without the required authorization. However, they can act in the role of a messenger by forwarding the reasons provided by the customer unchanged to the rating portals.

Conclusion

The ruling of the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg sends a clear signal for the protection of legal services and emphasizes the importance of legal professionalism. It clarifies that the boundary between legal services requiring a license and permissible messenger activities is decisive. Companies operating in this area must ensure that they do not provide unauthorized legal services by carrying out independent legal audits or reasoning. However, the role of the messenger, who merely forwards the arguments originating from the customer, remains a permissible practice.

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: AnalyseHamburgJudgmentolgReviewservice

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  • 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
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