What this policy means for you
If you believe your copyrighted work has been used on Sonderbriefing without authorisation, this page explains how to notify us and what happens next. We take intellectual property seriously and aim to resolve all claims promptly and fairly. Our process is designed to protect both rights holders and our readers’ access to legitimate journalism.
Sonderbriefing, operated by Sonderbriefi Media Ltd., publishes original news and analysis under Swedish editorial direction. We respect copyright law and expect our contributors to use only material they are authorised to use. If you are a rights holder and spot your work on our site without permission, please follow the steps below. We will act quickly to investigate and, where appropriate, remove the content.
What types of rights do you cover?
We address claims concerning all copyrighted material, including but not limited to photographs, illustrations, graphics, video clips, audio recordings, written articles, and data compilations. Image rights are a common area of concern, which is why we treat them with particular care.
Every image published on Sonderbriefing is sourced under a licence, through a rights-cleared wire service, via direct permission from the creator, or under a valid fair-use or equivalent exception. If you believe an image has been used without proper clearance, our takedown process applies to that material as it does to any other copyrighted work. We do not distinguish between commercial and editorial usage; all rights claims are handled with the same seriousness.
How do I submit a takedown request?
Send your request by email to copyright@sonderbriefing.de. For fastest processing, please include the following information in your message. State your full name and your relationship to the copyrighted work (owner, authorised agent, or exclusive licensee). Provide the exact URL or a precise description of the material you believe infringes your rights, along with your contact details and a statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is not authorised.
We also ask that you include a declaration, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the rights holder or authorised to act on their behalf. Please note that we may forward your notice to the person who posted the material or to our legal advisors. Your request will be acknowledged within two business days, and we will investigate promptly. We may request additional clarification if your notice is incomplete.
How this works in practice
A concrete example: suppose a photographer discovers one of their images illustrating a Sonderbriefing article about Swedish infrastructure policy. They believe the image was used without a licence. They email copyright@sonderbriefing.de with their name, the exact URL of the article, the image filename, and a statement that they hold the copyright and did not authorise use. Our fact-checking team, led by Laura Arnold, reviews the claim within 48 hours. If we find that the image was indeed used without proper clearance, we remove it immediately and correct the article. If the image was properly licensed from a wire service, we explain that to the photographer with evidence of the licence. In either case, we reply directly from the copyright inbox.
What about counter-notices from our authors or sources?
If material is removed in response to a takedown notice, the party who originally provided that material may submit a counter-notice if they believe the removal was mistaken or based on misidentification. Counter-notices should be sent to the same email address and must include the contributor’s full name, a description of the material and its location before removal, and a statement under penalty of perjury that they have a good-faith belief the material was removed as a result of error.
We handle counter-notices with the same rigour as initial claims. If a valid counter-notice is received, we may restore the material within 10–14 business days unless the original claimant files a court action seeking to restrain the content. This process is governed by applicable law and our editorial judgement. Tim Zimmermann, as Chefredaktör, makes the final publication decision on any disputed content.
Company and ownership context
Sonderbriefing is owned and operated by Sonderbriefi Media Ltd., a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number C 92009, Malta Business Registry) with a registered office at Office 9, Business Centre, Valletta, 0000. Our editorial independence is guaranteed by our funding model, which includes display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships, and content licensing. No commercial relationship determines editorial conclusions, and sponsored material is always clearly labelled. This structure ensures that copyright claims are assessed solely on legal and journalistic merit, free from outside influence.
Where else can I find our policies?
This policy is part of a broader framework that governs our work. You can read our full Terms of Use, which cover user conduct and liability. Our Editorial Policy explains how we source, verify, and present information. For any other correspondence, including general inquiries, corrections, or advertising questions, visit our Contact page or email info@sonderbriefing.de. For specific fact-checking concerns, you may also reach Laura Arnold directly at factcheck@sonderbriefing.de.
In short
If you believe material on Sonderbriefing infringes your copyright, email copyright@sonderbriefing.de with the details we have outlined, and we will investigate thoroughly and without delay. We are committed to resolving any legitimate claim swiftly while protecting the integrity of our journalism and the rights of all parties involved.