IP infringement in Germany: how much is it worth?

In German law, damages are often calculated using the “Lizenzanalogie”.

👉 In simple terms:

the infringer must pay what they would have paid under a normal license agreement.

Sounds abstract? In reality, it’s quite structured.

Across industries, reference pricing standards have emerged — and courts rely on them.

📸 For photography, the benchmark is clear:

the MFM “BILDHONORARE”.

This long-established publication sets out market-standard fees for image use in Germany, with:

• detailed rates (editorial & commercial) and practice-oriented guidance

• benchmarks for print, online & social media

• data grounded in real market surveys

💡 In practice, these figures are key when:

->negotiating licenses

->assessing risks

->calculating damages in infringement cases

👉 If you operate in Germany and use visual content, this is not just theory — it directly

impacts your exposure.

At Mars-IP, we support businesses in navigating these rules, securing their rights, and

managing cross-border IP risks between France and Germany.

Image: Mittelstandsgemeinschaft Foto-Marketing (MFM)

Feel free to reach out.