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{{Short description|Legally mandated statement of the ownership and authorship of a document}}
{{selfref|The German-language Wikipedia has [[:de:Wikipedia:Impressum|its own Impressum]]. There is no equivalent for the English-language Wikipedia, though the German Impressum cross-links to [[Wikipedia:General disclaimer|the General disclaimer]].}}
{{multiple issues|
{{multiple issues|
{{refimprove|date=November 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2016}}
{{unreliable sources|date=November 2016}}
{{unreliable sources|date=November 2016}}
{{Expand German|Impressum|date=May 2013}}
{{Expand German|Impressum|date=May 2013}}
}}
}}


An '''''Impressum''''' (from Latin ''{{lang|la|impressum}}'', "the impressed, engraved, pressed in, impression") is the term given to a legally mandated statement of the ownership and authorship of a document, which must be included in books, newspapers, magazines<ref>{{lang|de|[[:de:Presserecht]]}}, Retrieved 28 April 2015{{Better source |reason=per WP:CIRCULAR |date=August 2015 }}</ref> and websites<ref>{{lang|de|[[:de:Telemediengesetz]]}}, Retrieved 28 April 2015{{Better source |reason=per WP:CIRCULAR |date=August 2015 }}</ref> published in [[Germany]] and certain other German-speaking countries, such as [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]]. The [[:de:Telemediengesetz|Telemediengesetz]] (German meaning "Telemedia Act") mandates the use of an Impressum.
An '''''Impressum''''' (from [[Latin]] {{lang|la|impressum}}, 'the impressed, engraved, pressed in, impression') is a legally mandated statement of the ownership and authorship of a document, which must be included in books, newspapers, magazines, websites,<ref>{{cite web |title=Telemediengesetz|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tmg/ |website=gesetze-im-internet.de |access-date=29 December 2019 }}</ref> and business correspondence<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.frankfurt-main.ihk.de/recht/themen/handelsrecht/brief/|title=Geschäftsbriefe|website=IHK Frankfurt am Main|language=de|access-date=2020-02-22}}</ref> published or otherwise made available to consumers in [[Germany]] and certain other German-speaking countries, such as [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]], and also in countries historically influenced by German culture, such as [[Hungary]]. The {{lang|de|[[:de:Telemediengesetz|Telemediengesetz]]}} ([[German language|German]], meaning 'Telemedia Act') mandates the use of an ''Impressum''.


⚫
In printed media, an ''Impressum'' is identical to the "printer's imprint" as defined under [[law of the United Kingdom|UK law]]. Under the ''[[Printer's Imprint Act 1961]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Printer's Imprint Act 1961 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/9-10/31/section/1 |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=[[The National Archives]] |access-date=28 April 2015 }}</ref> which amended the earlier ''[[Newspapers, Printers, and Reading Rooms Repeal Act 1869]]'', any [[printer (publishing)|printer]] must put their name and address on the first or last leaf of every paper or book they print or face a penalty of up to £50 per copy.
==Equivalency==


⚫
The UK's ''[[Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000]]'' extends the use of imprints in the case of election material to include all forms of communication, including websites and social media accounts. All election material is also required to show the name of the promoter of the material and the name and address of the person on whose behalf it is being published.<ref>{{cite web |title=Printers Imprint |url=http://www.britishprint.com/stream.asp?stream=true&eid=2331&node=1220&checksum=D5B0932CC311D72C2A03CE0D8D419507 |publisher=British Printing Industries Federation |access-date=28 April 2015 |format=Microsoft Word |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194638/http://www.britishprint.com/stream.asp?stream=true&eid=2331&node=1220&checksum=D5B0932CC311D72C2A03CE0D8D419507 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
In printed media, an impressum is identical to the [[printer's imprint]] as defined under [[Law of the United Kingdom|UK law]]. Under the Printer's Imprint Act 1961,<ref>{{cite web |title=Printer’s Imprint Act 1961 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/9-10/31/section/1 |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=[[The National Archives]] |accessdate=28 April 2015 }}</ref> which amended the earlier Newspapers, Printers, and Reading Rooms Repeal Act 1869, any [[Printer (publishing)|printer]] must put their name and address on the first or last leaf of every paper or book they print or face a penalty of up to £50 per copy.

⚫
The UK [[Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000]] extends the use of imprints in the case any election material to include all forms of communication, including websites and social media accounts. All election material is also required to show the name of the promoter of the material and the name and address of the person on whose behalf it is being published.<ref>{{cite web |title=Printers Imprint |url=http://www.britishprint.com/stream.asp?stream=true&eid=2331&node=1220&checksum=D5B0932CC311D72C2A03CE0D8D419507 |publisher=British Printing Industries Federation |accessdate=28 April 2015 |format=Microsoft Word }}</ref>


There is no equivalent legislation in the [[United States]]. The closest English-language terms for ''Impressum'' are:
There is no equivalent legislation in the [[United States]]. The closest English-language terms for ''Impressum'' are:
* [[Masthead (American publishing)|Masthead]]: for newspapers and magazines, a list, usually found on the [[editorial page]], of the members of its board.<ref>{{lang|de|Duden: "(Buchw.): Vermerk über Verleger, Drucker, auch Redaktionen u.a. in Büchern, Zeitungen u. Zeitschriften"}}</ref>
* [[Masthead (American publishing)|Masthead]]: for newspapers and magazines, a list, usually found on the [[editorial page]], of the members of its board.<ref>{{lang|de|Duden: "(Buchw.): Vermerk über Verleger, Drucker, auch Redaktionen u.a. in Büchern, Zeitungen u. Zeitschriften"}}</ref>
* [[Colophon (publishing)|Colophon]]: for books, a note indicating [[metadata]] about the book such as the date of publication, printer and publisher.
* [[Colophon (publishing)|Colophon]]: for books, a note indicating [[metadata]] about the book such as the date of publication, printer and publisher.
* "Site notice", "Legal notice" or "Legal disclosure": for websites in English, a page title commonly used to link to legal [[metadata]] and [[terms of use]].
* "Site notice", "Legal notice", "Legal information" or "Legal disclosure": for websites in English, a page title commonly used to link to legal [[metadata]] and [[terms of use]].

⚫
None of these terms is an exact equivalent in all contexts. The terms "masthead" and "colophon" apply to printed publications only and are not commonly used on English-language websites, while "site notice" is website-specific and "legal notice" or "legal disclosure" are rarely found in printed works. An "imprint" in publishing may also mean a [[brand]] name under which a work is published,<ref>{{cite web|title=English definition of "imprint" |url=http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/imprint |website=Cambridge Dictionaries Online |publisher=Cambridge University Press |access-date=28 April 2015 }}</ref> and so may not be understood to mean an ''Impressum''.


⚫
The {{lang|de|Telemediengesetz}} requires that German websites disclose information about the publisher, including their name and address, telephone number or e-mail address, trade registry number, VAT number, and other information depending on the type of company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Telemediengesetz (TMG) § 5 Allgemeine Informationspflichten |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tmg/__5.html |website=gesetze-im-internet.de |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz |access-date=28 April 2015 |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519112946/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tmg/__5.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> German websites are defined as being published by individuals or organisations that are based in Germany, so an ''Impressum'' is required regardless of whether a site is in the [[.de]] domain.
⚫
None of these terms is an exact equivalent in all contexts. The terms "masthead" and "colophon" apply to printed publications only and are not commonly used on English-language websites, while "site notice" is website-specific and "legal notice" or "legal disclosure" are rarely found in printed works. An "imprint" in publishing may also mean a [[brand]] name under which a work is published,<ref>{{cite web|title=English definition of "imprint" |url=http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/imprint |website=Cambridge Dictionaries Online |publisher=Cambridge University Press |accessdate=28 April 2015 }}</ref> and so may not be understood to mean an ''Impressum''.


Historically, the German ''Impressum'' requirement has its roots in the [[Censorship in Germany|censorship laws]] of 19th century and earlier monarchies, and has been criticized as [[illiberalism|illiberal]] and contrary to the principle of [[free speech]];<ref>Frank Bösch, ''Mediengeschichte: Vom asiatischen Buchdruck zum Fernsehen'', Campus Verlag, 2011, {{ISBN|9783593393797}}</ref> most other countries have no comparable requirement.
==On webpages==
⚫
The {{ill|Telemediengesetz|de}} (German meaning "Telemedia Act") requires that German websites disclose information about the publisher, including their name and address, telephone number or e-mail address, trade registry number, VAT number, and other information depending on the type of company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Telemediengesetz (TMG) § 5 Allgemeine Informationspflichten |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tmg/__5.html |website=gesetze-im-internet.de |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz |accessdate=28 April 2015 }}</ref> German websites are defined as being published by individuals or organisations that are based in Germany, so an Impressum is required regardless of whether a site is in the [[.de]] domain.


⚫
This law has created [[privacy]] concerns for individuals who maintain blogs or personal homepages.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} The law has also caused lawyers to scrutinise websites for this information and send {{lang|de|[[Abmahnung]]}} ([[cease and desist]]) letters to their maintainers in the event it is missing.<ref>{{cite web|author1=MMarks|title=U.S. comment on 'Impressum'/German lawyers' cease and desist hunt|url=http://transblawg.co.uk/2003/10/13/u-s-comment-on-impressumgerman-lawyers-cease-and-desist-hunt/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030041632/http://transblawg.co.uk/2003/10/13/u-s-comment-on-impressumgerman-lawyers-cease-and-desist-hunt/|archive-date=30 October 2020|access-date=28 April 2015|website=Transblawg}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=September 2023}}
⚫
[[Facebook]] offers a way for users to add an Impressum for user-created public pages.<ref>{{cite web|title=How do I add an Impressum to my Page? |url=https://www.facebook.com/help/342430852516247 |website=[[Facebook]] |accessdate=28 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=What is Impressum on Facebook Page with Example |url=https://www.geekgyaan.com/what-is-impressum-on-facebook-page-with-example/ |website=geekgyaan.com |accessdate=15 August 2018 }}</ref>


⚫
[[Facebook]] offers a way for users to add an ''Impressum'' for user-created public pages.<ref>{{cite web|title=How do I add an Impressum to my Page? |url=https://www.facebook.com/help/342430852516247 |website=[[Facebook]] |access-date=28 April 2015 }}</ref>
==Complications==
⚫
This law has created [[privacy]] concerns for individuals who maintain blogs or personal homepages.{{cn|date=November 2016}} The law has also caused lawyers to scrutinise websites for this information and send ''[[Abmahnung]]'' ([[cease and desist]]) letters to their maintainers in the event it is missing.<ref>{{cite web |author1=MMarks |title=U.S. comment on ‘Impressum’/German lawyers’ cease and desist hunt |url=http://transblawg.eu/2003/10/13/u-s-comment-on-impressumgerman-lawyers-cease-and-desist-hunt/ |website=Transblawg |accessdate=28 April 2015 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Impressum}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Impressum}}
[[Category:Austrian law]]
[[Category:Law of Austria]]
[[Category:German law]]
[[Category:Law of Germany]]
[[Category:Swiss law]]
[[Category:Law of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Publishing]]
[[Category:Publishing]]

Latest revision as of 11:06, 7 November 2024

An Impressum (from Latin impressum, 'the impressed, engraved, pressed in, impression') is a legally mandated statement of the ownership and authorship of a document, which must be included in books, newspapers, magazines, websites,[1] and business correspondence[2] published or otherwise made available to consumers in Germany and certain other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, and also in countries historically influenced by German culture, such as Hungary. The Telemediengesetz (German, meaning 'Telemedia Act') mandates the use of an Impressum.

In printed media, an Impressum is identical to the "printer's imprint" as defined under UK law. Under the Printer's Imprint Act 1961,[3] which amended the earlier Newspapers, Printers, and Reading Rooms Repeal Act 1869, any printer must put their name and address on the first or last leaf of every paper or book they print or face a penalty of up to £50 per copy.

The UK's Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 extends the use of imprints in the case of election material to include all forms of communication, including websites and social media accounts. All election material is also required to show the name of the promoter of the material and the name and address of the person on whose behalf it is being published.[4]

There is no equivalent legislation in the United States. The closest English-language terms for Impressum are:

  • Masthead: for newspapers and magazines, a list, usually found on the editorial page, of the members of its board.[5]
  • Colophon: for books, a note indicating metadata about the book such as the date of publication, printer and publisher.
  • "Site notice", "Legal notice", "Legal information" or "Legal disclosure": for websites in English, a page title commonly used to link to legal metadata and terms of use.

None of these terms is an exact equivalent in all contexts. The terms "masthead" and "colophon" apply to printed publications only and are not commonly used on English-language websites, while "site notice" is website-specific and "legal notice" or "legal disclosure" are rarely found in printed works. An "imprint" in publishing may also mean a brand name under which a work is published,[6] and so may not be understood to mean an Impressum.

The Telemediengesetz requires that German websites disclose information about the publisher, including their name and address, telephone number or e-mail address, trade registry number, VAT number, and other information depending on the type of company.[7] German websites are defined as being published by individuals or organisations that are based in Germany, so an Impressum is required regardless of whether a site is in the .de domain.

Historically, the German Impressum requirement has its roots in the censorship laws of 19th century and earlier monarchies, and has been criticized as illiberal and contrary to the principle of free speech;[8] most other countries have no comparable requirement.

This law has created privacy concerns for individuals who maintain blogs or personal homepages.[citation needed] The law has also caused lawyers to scrutinise websites for this information and send Abmahnung (cease and desist) letters to their maintainers in the event it is missing.[9][self-published source?]

Facebook offers a way for users to add an Impressum for user-created public pages.[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Telemediengesetz". gesetze-im-internet.de. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Geschäftsbriefe". IHK Frankfurt am Main (in German). Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  3. ^ "Printer's Imprint Act 1961". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  4. ^ "Printers Imprint". British Printing Industries Federation. Archived from the original (Microsoft Word) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  5. ^ Duden: "(Buchw.): Vermerk über Verleger, Drucker, auch Redaktionen u.a. in Büchern, Zeitungen u. Zeitschriften"
  6. ^ "English definition of "imprint"". Cambridge Dictionaries Online. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Telemediengesetz (TMG) § 5 Allgemeine Informationspflichten". gesetze-im-internet.de. Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  8. ^ Frank Bösch, Mediengeschichte: Vom asiatischen Buchdruck zum Fernsehen, Campus Verlag, 2011, ISBN 9783593393797
  9. ^ MMarks. "U.S. comment on 'Impressum'/German lawyers' cease and desist hunt". Transblawg. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  10. ^ "How do I add an Impressum to my Page?". Facebook. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
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