How can I protect myself from warnings due to missing imprint information on my website?
April 28, 2022 | 55,00 EUR | answered by Chloé Tressel
Dear Media Law Attorney,
I operate a small online platform where I regularly publish blog posts on various topics. Lately, I have heard more and more from other website owners who have received cease and desist letters because their imprint was incomplete or inaccurate. This has made me anxious and I am worried that my website may not meet the legal requirements as well.
Currently, I do have an imprint on my website, but I am unsure if all the necessary information is included and if it is correctly formulated. Additionally, I have read that there are strict legal requirements for imprints in Germany and that violations can result in high fines. Therefore, I would like to ensure that my imprint complies with legal requirements and protects me from cease and desist letters.
Could you please explain to me what information must be included in an imprint and how I can ensure that my imprint is correct? Are there sample imprints that I can use to make sure all the necessary information is included? What steps can I take to review and potentially update my imprint on my website to avoid cease and desist letters?
I appreciate your assistance in advance and look forward to your helpful tips and advice.
Sincerely,
Anna Ullmann
Dear Ms. Ullmann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the imprint on your online platform. It is good that you are thinking about the legal requirements and want to avoid warnings. A correct imprint is indeed very important, as violations can be punished with high fines.
In Germany, § 5 TMG (Telemedia Act) regulates the imprint obligation for online offers. In principle, the following information must be included in an imprint:
- Name and address of the provider
- Contact details (phone number, email address)
- VAT identification number (if available)
- Commercial register entry and court of registration (if available)
- Authorized representatives
- Professional title and chamber membership (if applicable)
- Supervisory authority
- Reference to professional regulations
- If applicable, information on professional liability insurance
- Person responsible for the content of the website
It is important that all this information is complete and correct. You can use sample imprints as a guide to ensure that all required information is included. There are many free imprint generators on the internet that can help you create a legally compliant imprint.
To check your imprint on your website, you can, for example, hire a lawyer specializing in media law to conduct a legal review. Alternatively, you can also perform a review yourself by ensuring that all the above-mentioned information is correct and complete.
If you find that your imprint does not meet the legal requirements, it is important to adjust it immediately to avoid warnings. Even small errors or missing information can lead to warnings.
I hope this information helps you and that you can adjust your imprint accordingly. If you have any further questions or need professional assistance, I am happy to help.
Sincerely,
Chloé Tressel
Media Law Attorney
