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What does "Impressum" mean in English?

Business, Legal • 
Last updated on 9 April 2024

An “Impressum” is a legal term used primarily in German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, which translates to “imprint” or “legal notice” in English. It refers to a mandated statement of ownership and authorship of a document, which, in the context of websites and publications, includes details about the publisher, author, or company responsible for the content.

What is “Impressum”?

An Impressum is required by law for commercial websites and publications operating within German-speaking countries. It serves to disclose the identity of the website or publication’s owner, providing transparency and a means for regulatory compliance and consumer protection. The requirement for an Impressum applies regardless of the website’s domain name, ensuring that even non-.de websites targeting German-speaking audiences comply with the regulation.

More information about “Impressum”

The Impressum must include specific information such as the full name and contact details of the website owner or operator, the company’s registered address, and relevant registration numbers (e.g., trade or VAT registration numbers). This requirement aims to ensure accountability and provide a clear point of contact for legal purposes, consumer inquiries, and regulatory compliance.

Here are some additional terms that are related to “Impressum”:

  • Telemediengesetz (TMG): The German Telemedia Act, which outlines the legal framework for telemedia services, including the requirement for an Impressum.
  • Datenschutz: Refers to data protection and privacy laws that regulate the handling of personal data by businesses and websites.
  • Urheberrecht: The copyright law that protects the rights of authors and creators of original works.

In conclusion, the Impressum is a critical element for websites and publications in German-speaking countries, ensuring transparency and legal compliance.

Sources

[1] https://www.privacypolicies.com/blog/sample-impressum-template/ [2] https://termly.io/resources/articles/impressum/ [3] https://www.seo-analyse.com/seo-lexikon/i/impressum/ [4] https://www.termsfeed.com/blog/sample-impressum-template/ [5] https://help.pandectes.io/en/article/impressum-what-is-it-and-when-do-you-need-one-1amstgm/ [6] https://secureprivacy.ai/blog/what-is-an-impressum [7] https://www.iubenda.com/en/help/7816-impressum-what-is-it-and-when-is-it-needed [8] https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/digital-law/a-case-for-thinking-global-germanys-impressum-laws/ [9] https://www.rockitdigital.de/en/what-is-an-impressum/ [10] https://www.e-recht24.de/impressum/ [11] https://www.it-business.de/was-ist-ein-impressum-a-1016404/ [12] https://www.bmuv.de/themen/verbraucherschutz/digitaler-verbraucherschutz/impressumspflicht [13] https://omf.ai/lexikon/impressum-erklaerung/ [14] https://blog.zeta-producer.com/impressum-glossar/ [15] https://unternehmer.de/lexikon/recht-lexikon/impressum-2 [16] https://purpose-economy.org/de/who-we-are/ [17] https://purpose-economy.org/de/imprint/ [18] https://www.purposehealth.de/impressum [19] https://purposeprojects.de/impressum/ [20] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressum