Photo wallpaper in hotels: the verdicts are changing

In the hotel industry, interior design is a key factor for the well-being of guests. Photomurals, which often show spectacular landscapes or urban panoramas, are a popular way of creating atmosphere. However, the use of such wallpapers also raises legal issues, particularly in the area of copyright. A recent ruling by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court (case no. I-20 U 56/23) has provided important clarification on the copyright assessment of photo wallpapers in hotels

Current case law of the OLG Düsseldorf

In this case, it was decided that the use of photo wallpapers representing copyrighted works in hotels and their display on online platforms does not necessarily constitute copyright infringement. The court argued that the purchase of the photo wallpaper by conclusive conduct also constitutes a simple license to use the works depicted on it, which allows the hotelier to use the wallpaper in the hotel rooms and also to show these rooms in photos used to advertise the hotel. The OLG stated: “The hotel had indeed reproduced and published the photos of the photo wallpaper without naming the author. Nevertheless, it did not violate any rights of the photographer.”
The ruling further states: “After all, it is ‘part of its contractual use that the photo wallpaper may also be photographed and thus published. Otherwise the photomurals would simply not be for sale.”

Diverging judgments in the past

However, it is important to note that other courts have come to different conclusions in the past. For example, in a similar case, the Regional Court of Cologne ruled that the use of a photo wallpaper without the explicit consent of the author and without attribution constitutes a copyright infringement
. These different opinions in case law show how complex and case-dependent the copyright issues are in connection with the use of photomurals. However, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf emphasized that “the sale of a photo wallpaper has created an element of trust [sei] to the effect that such a wallpaper may not only be installed ‘in the digital age’ but also photographed and thus published.”

Significance for the hotel industry

This latest decision by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court could be a relief for the hotel industry, as it offers more legal certainty when it comes to decorating hotel rooms with photo wallpaper. Hoteliers should nevertheless keep an eye on developments in case law and seek legal advice if necessary to ensure that they meet all copyright requirements. The Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf emphasized in its ruling that “the hotel was implicitly granted copyright usage rights to the wallpapers with the purchase of the photo wallpapers in dispute. The contractual use of a photo wallpaper provides for its inseparable connection with the room it is intended to decorate”.

Conclusion

The design of hotel rooms with photo wallpaper offers many creative possibilities to enrich the ambience. However, the legal framework should not be underestimated. Although the decision of the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court has provided some clarity, the different rulings in similar cases underline the need to carefully examine in each individual case which rights have been acquired and how these can be used in a legally secure manner. Ultimately, according to the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf, it should be noted that “the photographer has tacitly waived the right to be named as the author” and “regardless of the fact that the specific agreement between the photographer and the wallpaper manufacturer is not known”.