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German Court Rejects Attempt to Ban Christoph Peters' Novel

Hamburg court upholds artistic freedom in dismissing claims that the book violated a gallery owner's personal rights.

  • The Hamburg Regional Court denied a request for an injunction to ban Christoph Peters' novel 'Innerstädtischer Tod,' citing the primacy of artistic freedom over alleged personal rights violations.
  • The lawsuit was filed by Berlin art dealer Johann König and his wife, who claimed to recognize themselves in the fictional characters Konrad and Eva-Kristin Raspe.
  • The court ruled that while some readers might draw parallels between the plaintiffs and the fictional characters, this alone does not constitute a violation of personal rights.
  • The decision highlights the novel's fictional nature and rejects comparisons to past cases like 'Esra,' where personal experiences were directly depicted.
  • The legal dispute has drawn significant public attention, boosting sales of the book and sparking discussions on the balance between creative expression and personal rights.
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