Censorship: Internet Reporter

CK - Washington.   Today, in JungleWorld, the immateriblog.de writer Mathias Spielkamp reports on censorship in German law with respect to links to software that are deemed illegal even in objective news reports about the existence of such software. With the effect of maximizing legal fees under the statutory fee structure for German attorneys, a Munich law firm demanded, on behalf of eight content marketers, with a cease-and-desist order that German publisher Heise submit to a civil penalty and stop the alleged violation of the law by publishing the link to the software on its heise online website. Spielkamp argues in support of Heise's objection to the demand and hopes for a clarification from higher courts of the effective censorship of reporters that results from the prohibition demanded by the content vendors. Under §95a of the copyright statute that was revised in 2003, promoting software to crack DVDs and such is illegal. The lawyers for the content industry argue that reporting on such programs equals its promotion. The lower court ordered Heise to remove the link but refused to outlaw the reporting. Heise is expected to appeal the ruling.