Xing imprint obligation: How to protect yourself from warnings
In February 2014, several lawyers received a warning letter created by mail merge. Allegation: You had violated Xing's legal notice. In this practical tip, we will tell you who this supposed imprint obligation applies to and how you can protect yourself from being warned.
What is an imprint obligation? Does it affect Xing?
According to the Telemedia Act (TMG) §5 from 2007, there is an imprint obligation in Germany. In an imprint, you must state the name and address and contact options as well as the business form of your company.
- Private individuals are not affected. This also applies to private profiles on social media sites. These do not have to have an imprint.
- However, all companies and freelancers whose profiles are not of a purely private or family nature are affected.
- For Xing this means theoretically: Private employees do not need an imprint. But companies or freelancers do. This is not yet legally regulated, however, because specialist lawyers (as of March 2014) are currently even debating whether the legal notice obligation applies to Xing at all.
- So far, several lawyers have received warnings from a lawyer colleague. As a freelancer, you would violate the obligation to provide an imprint with your Xing profile.
- The other side's argument is that, unlike Facebook, Xing is not a self-contained telemedia, so it is not comparable to a website. And that's why Xing is not subject to any legal notice. This should now be clarified in court.
- You are on the safe side if you simply set up an imprint on Xing. Find out how below.
Preventing warnings: Create an imprint on Xing
The social network for professional contacts Xing was founded in 2003.
- Log in to Xing.
- Click on your profile picture in the top left. How to get to your 'profile'.
- Now you have to scroll all the way down.
- Click on 'Edit Imprint' below your profile (see picture).
- A tab opens. Here you can enter your imprint text. For example email address, name and address.
Free initial consultation (advertisement)
If you have any legal questions, call 0221/40 06 75 54 44 from the legal experts at Wilde Bauger Solmecke. (Call at the fixed network price, mobile may differ.)
- In our form you can request a free consultation without obligation.
In another CHIP practical tip you will find out what must be in a blog imprint.