Noerr successfully represents ZDF before Mainz Administrative Court in dispute over feed-in fees

The Mainz Administrative Court has dismissed an action brought by several regional companies of the cable network operator Unitymedia against ZDF on the grounds that it is inadmissible. The key issue in the dispute is Unitymedia’s demand for feed-in fees for broadcasting ZDF’s programmes via the company’s cable networks. ZDF was represented in court by Noerr and its partners Professor Johannes Kreile and Christian Alexander Mayer.

The court based its decision, amongst other things, on the fact that Unitymedia had in part initiated inadmissible legal proceedings and had otherwise filed inadmissible motions. The court held that in particular any action for the conclusion of new feed-in agreements ultimately being sought by Unitymedia would have to be brought before the civil courts.

ZDF regularly relies on Noerr to represent it in litigation relating to the dispute over feed-in fees. Noerr has to date won all predominantly antitrust proceedings for the client up to higher regional court level. According to the rulings which have been handed down to date, there is no obligation for ZDF to conclude feed-in agreements either based on antitrust or public law regulations.

Representatives of ZDF: Noerr LLP

Professor Johannes Kreile (lead, Media Law), Christian Alexander Mayer (Public Law, both Munich)