Germany: Media & Entertainment Law

Germany's federal cabinet has approved a draft law requiring streaming platforms and public broadcasters to invest 8% of their net revenue into European audiovisual productions, with strict rules on exclusive licensing periods and rights reversion.

Deutschland veröffentlicht Entwurfsrichtlinien für einen umstrukturierten Bundesförderrahmen für Filmprojekte mit drei neuen Säulen, Verdopplung des jährlichen Gesamtbudgets auf 250 Millionen Euro und Ausweitung der Förderkriterien für Kino-, TV/VoD- und Produktionsdienstleisterprojekte.

Germany's federal film production funding has doubled to €250 million annually, with draft guidelines published for three restructured funding pillars that would replace current theatrical and TV/VoD regimes. The new framework introduces distinct funding streams for theatrical films, TV/VoD productions, and production service providers, with increased funding intensity and expanded eligibility criteria set to take effect in 2027.

The German media authorities ("LMA") have completed the determination of the public value ("PV") offers in broadcasting and telemedia services in accordance with the newly introduced Sec. 84...

The application underlying this decision relates to the area of multimedia content. However, the European Patent Office refused to grant a patent that deals with a relationship between a user's comment...

The contact and curfew restrictions during the third Coronavirus wave in spring 2021 were consistent with Germany's Constitution. The first reasoned decision of the Federal Constitutional Court...