Freelance writer wins in court docket in opposition to “Berliner Zeitung” | EUROtoday

The freelance journalist Werner Rügemer has gained a lawsuit in opposition to the “Berliner Zeitung”. You could not publish an article from Rügemer’s pen in a modified kind. Rügemer and the newspaper have been arguing for years about whether or not unauthorized enhancing is permissible.

What is it about? In April 2023, the freelance journalist submitted a textual content commissioned by the editor-in-chief a few protection firm. Rügemer defined this in writing: “Any changes are only possible in consultation with me.” Initially, the “Berliner Zeitung” revealed the textual content virtually unchanged. She later deleted some passages and added an “editor’s note” that statements a few protection politician had been deceptive. Rügemer was not knowledgeable prematurely concerning the deletion and remark.

Rügemer was now capable of lastly prevail in court docket together with his authorized opinion that the Berlin publishing home was prohibited from making the article publicly accessible with out the deleted passages (Cologne Regional Court, Ref. 14 O 144/23; legally binding). Rügemer’s article is an mental creation and subsequently eligible for cover. The judges wrote that the omissions made constituted an infringement of copyright. They thought-about the Berlin writer’s argument that the modifications had been minor and restricted to the completely needed scope to be unsustainable and even contradictory. The newspaper ought to have requested for the writer’s consent earlier than eradicating the textual content passages.

The Berlin writer said within the proceedings that the four-page article had solely been shortened by 4 sentences. The extent of the modifications corresponds to what needs to be accepted in fixed trade observe. Rügemer, alternatively, speaks of ten shortened sentences; it’s not for nothing that the court docket known as this deletion “significant” and “serious”.

Finally, the Berlin publishing home argued that it was the writer’s proper to find out the newspaper’s tendency. The deleted passages had been “activist statements”. Rügemer denies activism. A deleted wording within the subtitle got here from the editors themselves and never from him. It was a few politician who the newspaper confirmed had “connections” to an arms firm. Rügemer says that he talked about the politician in his article, however didn’t use the time period “connections”.

The Berlin publishing home withdrew its enchantment in opposition to the primary occasion judgment earlier than the Cologne Higher Regional Court. This was preceded by a warning from the judges that the enchantment had no prospect of success. Rügemer receives compensation. The administration of the Berlin publishing home has determined to not reply any inquiries on the subject presently.