Case study: Julia, Frankfurt and the French sneaker deal

Julia is a fashion influencer from Frankfurt with 340,000 followers. Her style is French inspired, her Community International. One day, a request from a Parisian sneaker fire flutters into her inbox. She is supposed to show a few stylish retro sneakers in her reels – for a fee and a few free copies.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But the devil is in the details: the contract is in French, payment is made in cryptocurrency, and the fire demands worldwide rights to use Julia’s content – without time limit. In addition, she should also advertise the posts in Canada, although she does not have a tax number there.

And suddenly it gets complicated internationally

Julia asks herself: Does German law or French matter apply? Does she have to have the contract translated? Can the company really use their reels “forever” – also for advertising in Canada? And what happens if something goes wrong – would she have to go to court in Paris?

The solution: Legal certainty from Frankfurt

Luckily, Julia knows our law firm – and comes to a consultation appointment at our branch in Frankfurt. We check the contract, negotiate a fair regulation for the rights of use, clarify the tax framework and ensure that German law applies in the event of a dispute. The use of cryptocurrency is also cleanly documented – and Julia can concentrate on her creativity, not legal gibberish.

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Our conclusion: Influence is international – the law too

Whether Paris, L.A. or Seoul – we make your international cooperation legally secure. Not just our team in Frankfurt Advise on cross-border trademark rights, contract clauses, tax issues and international terms and conditions, we are represented throughout Germany. This is how you play it safe even if your posts go around the world.

We are professionals in the field of international legal advice.

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The post Influencers going international: when likes cross national borders first appeared on Influencerrechte.

The case: a selfie at an influencer party

A creator attends a launch party of a cosmetics label. At the event, she takes a selfie with a well-known singer in the background – she happens to be in the picture, but clearly recognizable. The creator posts the photo on Instagram, adding tags and a campaign marker.

The reaction: demand for extinguishing from the management

A short time later, the singer’s management asked the creator to delete the picture – without prior consent, the publication was illegal. You refer to that General Rights of Personality And the right to your own image.

Legal situation: Publication only with consent

According to § 22 KUG (Kunstaudergesetz), portraits may only be published with the consent of the person depicted. Exceptions apply i.a. for people of contemporary history or in recordings from the field of contemporary history – But only if no legitimate interests are violated. The prominent singer was not specifically part of the recording and was neither asked nor presented in agreement.

Solution: Subsequent consent or image processing

In order to be legally on the safe side, the creator should have asked for permission before publication. Alternatively: pixelate or cut out the singer. A Model release This is especially useful for professional campaigns.

Do you need legal advice on the right to your own image?

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Frequently asked questions

Can I post photos of events where others can be seen?

At meetings and public events, persons without consent may be shown when they appear as part of the quantity. If a single person is clearly the focus, your consent is usually required.

What can I do if someone posts a photo of me without permission?

You can request deletion and omission, for commercial use also a fictitious license fee as compensation. First, save screenshots with date and URL.

Once you have given consent, apply forever?

Not necessarily. Consent can be revoked for good cause, for example if the circumstances have changed significantly. In the case of advertising recordings, the duration of use should be contractually regulated.

Further information: Personal rights · Protection of Personal Rights

The post The right to one’s own image – explained using an event selfie first appeared on Influencerrechte.

Case study: character assassination by Deepfake video

A well-known influencer is suddenly confronted with a video showing her allegedly illegal behavior. The recording is spreading rapidly on platforms such as TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Only with precise analysis does it turn out: It is a manipulated deepfake video – created using publicly available images and AI technology. In the comments, she is insulted, defamed and covered with fake news.

The damage is enormous: advertising partners pause campaigns, followers turn away – and trust in the influencer’s brand erodes. Now is not only Personal rights violated, but also threatened the economic foundation.

Which rights apply to digital reputation damage?

Whether False assertion, slanderous comment Oder Deepfake: Whoever spreads untruths or manipulates the image of a person, reaches into their Right to your own image and personal honor. Depending on the extent and distribution, claims arise Omission, counter-statement, deletion and compensation considered.

Strategies for Defense Against Digital Attacks

• Evidence preservation: Screenshots, URLs, downloads of the material
• Platform complaints: Use of the reporting channels on TikTok, Instagram & Co.
• Legal steps: Cease-and-desist letter, action for injunctive relief, criminal charges for personal injury
• Public clarification: In close coordination with legal advice

Are you affected? Take legal action against reputational damage now!

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Conclusion: Digital borders are also legal limits

Influencers are not fair game targets for hate speech or digital manipulation. Anyone who becomes a victim of deepfakes or defamation should not hesitate to defend themselves legally – quickly, well-founded and visible. We support you with a legal Initial assessment and represent their rights to platforms and perpetrators.

Frequently asked questions

When does criticism on the Internet become illegal?

Opinions are widely protected. Statements in the case of untrue factual claims, abusive criticism, formal insults or attacks on human dignity become unlawful.

How quickly do I have to take action against hate comments?

For a temporary injunction, you should act within about four weeks of knowledge, otherwise the matter is often no longer considered urgent. Secure evidence immediately.

Does the platform have to delete illegal content?

Yes According to the Digital Services Act, platforms must quickly check and remove reported illegal content. In the event of inactivity, claims can also exist directly against the platform.

Further information: Online reputation · Cease-and-desist letter and enforcement

The post When a shitstorm becomes unlawful: what to do about hate speech, false claims and deepfakes first appeared on Influencerrechte.

Influencers live from attention – of reach, reaction, resonance. But those who publicly showcase other people enter legally-mined terrain. Because the right of personality does not end where the smartphone begins. A (fictitious but practical) case shows how quickly a contribution to legal burden can become – and why professional advice on influencer law is crucial.

The case: “just in the background” – and still sued

Fitness influencer “Leafit” shoots a workout video in the Munich English Garden. In the background: people sunbathing, a jogger with a striking tattoo, a mother with a child. She uploads the video to Instagram – it goes viral.
Three days later, she received mail from a lawyer: the client – the jogger – had been filmed without consent. His personal rights are violated, he demands omission, deletion and compensation.
The case is constructed – but quite realistic. And he shows: There are legal boundaries between public space and personal freedom.

What protects personal rights?

The General Rights of Personality Protects every natural person from unwanted presentation, distribution or use of their identity – in particular:

• The Right to your own image (§§ 22 ff. KUG)
• The Right to own name
• The Privacy and privacy
• The informational self-determination

Whether someone can only be seen “in the background” is there not crucial – but whether the person recognizable is. Clothing, tattoos, gaits or distinctive hairstyles may be sufficient. In the case of children, particularly strict rules apply.

And what does that mean for influencers?

Anyone who produces and publishes content also bears the legal responsibility. This includes in particular:

• Obtaining consent, when people are recognizable
• Unrecognizable Unreleased faces (e.g. through blurring)
• Sensitivity in sensitive places (e.g. hospitals, schools, retreats)
• Marking of advertising – even with personal recommendations

Lawyer Stefan Karfusehr of Horak Rechtsanwälte and the team in Munich regularly advises creative people, influencers and companies on issues of media, copyright and personality rights. His advice:

“Anyone who violates third-party personal rights quickly risks an expensive cease-and-desist letter or lawsuit – especially in an area that is designed for visibility and effect. Preventive legal protection is worth its weight in gold here.”

What is the threat of violations?

Depending on the individual case, those affected can under civil law Omission, Deletion, Monetary compensation and Damages complain. In the case of particularly serious interventions, criminal consequences conceivable (e.g. § 201a StGB – violation of the highly personal area of life).
In our example, “Leafit” threatened not only a legal dispute, but also a loss of reputation – and that in its own community.

Visibility needs responsibility

Influence law is not a legal vacuum – on the contrary: it is precisely here that the legal situation is often complex, the reach is high and the reaction is fast. Those who do not observe third-party personal rights not only risk likes, but also legal anger.

Attorney Stefan Karfusehr and that Team of Horak Attorneys in Munich Support you to reconcile creative freedom and legal security – for a professional, safe and future-proof influencer practice.

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Questions about influencer law, personal rights or image use?
We are there for you – discreetly, experienced, solution-oriented.

The post Between selfie and damages: influencers and personality rights first appeared on Influencerrechte.