Medienlinker respects intellectual property rights and expects users of our website to do the same. This Copyright & Takedown Policy explains how we handle image rights and other copyrighted material, and how rights holders can request removal of content they believe infringes their copyright. For takedown requests, contact our dedicated email address copyright@medienlinker.de. Please also review our Terms of Use and Editorial Policy for broader standards that govern our journalism.
What does this policy cover?
This policy covers all text, images, graphics, video, audio, and other content published on medienlinker.de, including material licensed from third parties or submitted by readers and contributors. It explains the process for submitting a takedown notice if you believe your copyrighted work has been used without authorisation.
Medienlinker is published by Medienlinker Media Ltd., a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number C 92009, Malta Business Registry). The policy applies to content produced by our editorial team under Chefredaktör Sebastian Lorenz, as well as any user-generated or syndicated material that appears on our site.
How do we handle image rights and other copyrights?
Medienlinker licenses images from reputable stock agencies, obtains permission from photographers, or uses material under fair‑dealing exceptions for news reporting, criticism, and education. Every image is checked by our editorial team before publication, and we attribute sources where required by licence terms.
We take copyright infringement seriously. If we become aware that an image, illustration, or other work has been used without proper clearance, we will remove or replace it promptly. Our fact‑checking team, led by Sandra Mayer, regularly reviews published content for any potential rights issues. Readers who suspect an infringement should contact us immediately so we can investigate.
How can you submit a takedown request?
To request removal of content you believe infringes your copyright, send a written notice to copyright@medienlinker.de. Include your full name, contact details, a description of the copyrighted work, the exact URL where the material appears, and a statement that you believe the use is not authorised by the rights owner, their agent, or the law.
We also ask that you provide a declaration, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the rights owner or authorised to act on their behalf. If you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, please specify your relationship to that entity. We will acknowledge receipt within two business days and begin our review.
What happens after we receive a request?
Upon receiving a valid takedown notice, Medienlinker’s editorial team will assess the claim against our content licence records, fair‑dealing principles, and the specific facts described in the notice. If infringement is confirmed, we will remove or disable access to the material within five business days.
If the claim is disputed, we will contact the party that posted the content (if identifiable) and give them an opportunity to respond. We may also notify you of any counter‑notice we receive. Our decision is made by Chefredaktör Sebastian Lorenz in consultation with our legal team. All resolved cases are documented in our internal records.
What you can expect from us
We aim to respond to every takedown notice promptly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable copyright law. Our process is designed to balance the rights of creators with the public interest in news reporting and commentary. We will never suppress legitimate journalism under a false copyright claim.
Medienlinker maintains a register of all takedown requests and their outcomes. This register is reviewed quarterly by our editorial board. If we reject a request, we will explain the reasoning, citing the relevant exception or licence. We also publish a general overview of our content sourcing standards in our Sources & Standards page.
Questions or concerns?
If you have any questions about this Copyright & Takedown Policy, or if you need help submitting a request, please read our Terms of Use and Editorial Policy first. For direct assistance, contact our copyright team at copyright@medienlinker.de or reach the general editorial office via our contact page. We are committed to resolving copyright matters fairly and quickly.