{"id":4753,"date":"2015-09-17T10:06:21","date_gmt":"2015-09-17T10:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mth-partner.de\/?p=4753"},"modified":"2025-10-28T05:52:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T05:52:03","slug":"internetrecht-ueber-die-im-impressum-angegebene-email-muss-eine-tatsaechliche-kommunikation-moeglich-sein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mth-partner.de\/en\/internet-law-actual-communication-must-be-possible-via-the-email-address-provided-in-the-legal-notice\/","title":{"rendered":"Internet law: Actual communication must be possible via the email address provided in the legal notice."},"content":{"rendered":"

Regional Court of Berlin, August 28, 2014, Case No.: 52 O 135\/13<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please note: The TMG (Telemedia Act) has been replaced by the DDG (Digital Services Act). However, the decision is likely still relevant in content. You can find an overview here.\u00a0Please note: The TMG has been replaced by the DDG, but the decision likely remains relevant. An overview can be found here.<\/a><\/p>\n

According to \u00a7 5 (1) No. 2 TMG, service providers offering business-related telemedia services, typically for a fee, must provide information that enables quick electronic contact and direct communication with them, including the address of their electronic mail, which must be easily recognizable, directly accessible, and permanently available.<\/p>\n

In the case discussed here by the Berlin Regional Court, the issue was whether the provision of an email address in the legal notice (Impressum) was sufficient under \u00a7 5 (1) No. 2 TMG when inquiries were met with an automatically generated email directing users to various email forms for further contact.<\/p>\n

You can create a personalized and free imprint using our imprint generator.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Facts of the Case:<\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/span>Insufficient Email Communication at Google<\/span><\/h3>\n

The present case concerns whether the email address provided in Google\u2019s legal notice meets the statutory requirements of \u00a7 5 TMG.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Plaintiff and Defendant<\/span><\/h3>\n

The plaintiff is a qualified entity registered with the Federal Office of Justice pursuant to \u00a7 4 UKlaG. Its goal is to protect consumer interests. The defendant operates the globally known internet search engine under the domain www.google.de and offers numerous other products and services, such as Gmail, Google Hangouts, Google Docs, and Google Calendar. These services can be used for free, although some require registration, which involves consenting to the use of personal data for advertising purposes.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Dispute: Email Contact in the Legal Notice<\/span><\/h3>\n

All services offered by Google link to a unified legal notice, which, in addition to the name, address, and telephone number, also provides the email address support-de@google.com. However, the plaintiff contends that contact via this email address is not possible, as any message sent to it results only in an automated response stating: support-de@google.com<\/a><\/strong> is specified. However, the plaintiff criticises the fact that it is not possible to make contact via this email address, as only an automated response with the following content is sent after a message is sent:<\/p>\n

\u201eThis is an automatically generated email. Replies to this email are not possible for technical reasons (\u2026). Thank you for contacting Google Inc. Emails sent to this address cannot be read or acknowledged due to the high volume of inquiries. Please use the email forms provided in Google Help (http:\/\/www.google.de\/support\/).\u201c<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the plaintiff\u2019s view, this solution does not meet the requirements of \u00a7 5 TMG, as direct communication via email is not possible. Google, on the other hand, points to the possibility of contact via various online forms.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Decision of the Regional Court of Berlin<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Berlin Regional Court ruled that the claim was admissible and well-founded. The court based its decision on Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No. 864\/2007 (\u201eRome II\u201c) and German law, as the disputed action took place in Germany and concerned consumer interests.<\/p>\n

The court held that the plaintiff has a right to an injunction under \u00a7 8 (1) UWG in conjunction with \u00a7 4 No. 11 UWG, as well as \u00a7 2 (1) UKlaG and \u00a7 5 (1) No. 2 TMG. Accordingly, a legal notice must contain an email address that enables quick electronic contact and direct communication. The legal notice provided by Google does not meet these requirements, as the email address support-de@google.com does not allow for direct communication with a representative. support-de@google.com<\/a> direct communication with an employee is not possible.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Requirements for an Email Address under \u00a7 5 TMG<\/span><\/h3>\n

Under \u00a7 5 (1) No. 2 TMG, service providers are required to provide an email address that enables quick and direct electronic communication. This serves to protect consumers and promote transparency in business-related telemedia services. The court made it clear that an automatically generated response referring to online forms does not meet these requirements. A functional email address must be provided through which incoming messages can be received and addressed.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Conclusion<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Berlin Regional Court concluded that the email address provided in Google\u2019s legal notice does not comply with legal requirements. Providing such an email address, which only leads to an automated response, is insufficient to ensure quick and direct communication. Google must therefore adjust its legal notice to comply with statutory regulations.<\/p>\n

Source: Berlin Regional Court<\/p>\n

Important Note: The content of this article has been prepared to the best of our knowledge and belief. However, due to the complexity and constant evolution of the subject matter, we must exclude liability and warranty.<\/b> Important Note: The content of this article has been created to the best of our knowledge and belief. However, the complexity and ever-changing nature of the subject matter make it necessary to exclude liability and warranty. This article cannot replace legal advice.<\/p>\n

If you need legal advice, please feel free to call us at 0221 - 80187670<\/strong> or send us an email at or send an email to info@mth-partner.de info@mth-partner.de<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can create a personalized and free imprint using our imprint generator.<\/a><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The legal notice can also include several email addresses, for example for different business areas. 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