'Mein Kampf' to be republished in Germany 70 years after Hitler's death

[MikeB1972]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

So it won't be a reprint but an entirely revised edition.
Personally that sounds like way too much for an old book.

Let's see, original out of copyright, so release an annotated version.
Doesn't look like a rights grab at all

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

Let's see, original out of copyright, so release an annotated version.
Doesn't look like a rights grab at all

In most cases I would agree with you, but not here. The state of Bavaria has exercised its copyright for all these years to prevent publication. And while the annotations will be copyrighted, the source text won't, so you can bet it won't be long before people publish editions of that.

So where is the rights grab?

[murg]

I waiting for a previously unknown co-author to pop out of the woodwork...

[Billi]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

The state of Bavaria has exercised its copyright for all these years to prevent publication. And while the annotations will be copyrighted, the source text won't, so you can bet it won't be long before people publish editions of that.

As I've understood it, the book will still be forbidden next year. Not because of a copyright violation but because of falling under the law of "Volksverhetzung" or so. The annotated edition is the compromise for researchers.

[Gudy]

Originally Posted by Billi

As I've understood it, the book will still be forbidden next year. Not because of a copyright violation but because of falling under the law of "Volksverhetzung" or so. The annotated edition is the compromise for researchers.

That's my reading as well. §130 of the German penal code (Strafgesetzbuch) makes any kind of trade and all but private possession (within certain limitations) of "Mein Kampf" still illegal in Germany. Even the annotated version is a compromise that the state of Bavaria only very, very grudgingly suffers to exist.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Gudy

That's my reading as well. §130 of the German penal code (Strafgesetzbuch) makes any kind of trade and all but private possession (within certain limitations) of "Mein Kampf" still illegal in Germany. Even the annotated version is a compromise that the state of Bavaria only very, very grudgingly suffers to exist.

I believe there is an exemption for academic works such as this, isn't there?

[Gudy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I believe there is an exemption for academic works such as this, isn't there?

There is, yes. In that the annotated, academic book is essentially an analysis and critique of "Mein Kampf" in its own right, and not an endorsement of the underlying ideology or a simple re-publishing of the original work. As I understand it, any publication that doesn't contain "enough" analysis and critique to make it a published work separate and distinct from the original book (in the eyes of the court in question) would still fall afoul of §130.

[faltradl]

Originally Posted by Gudy

That's my reading as well. §130 of the German penal code (Strafgesetzbuch) makes any kind of trade and all but private possession (within certain limitations) of "Mein Kampf" still illegal in Germany.

You are not right.

It's legal to own it and to read it. And it's legal to buy the old books from antiquarian booksellers. - Or short: The book isn't illegal.

It might be a Problem, when there is a poster in the shop window.

The only way was, to use the copyright to prevent new reprinted copys. (Of course they could rule only selling it in germany.) That's why the federal state Bavaria is using the copyright so restrictive.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by faltradl

You are not right.

It's legal to own it and to read it. And it's legal to buy the old books from antiquarian booksellers. - Or short: The book isn't illegal.

It might be a Problem, when there is a poster in the shop window.

Promoting Nazi ideology is illegal, though, isn't it? There would be a very strong argument that reprinting the original book unaltered would constitute promotion of Nazi ideology.

[faltradl]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Promoting Nazi ideology is illegal, though, isn't it? There would be a very strong argument that reprinting the original book unaltered would constitute promotion of Nazi ideology.

But owning an old one, or buying it in an second hand bookshop isn't promoting the ideology. And the german second hand bookshops are allowed to sell them. Of course they will not make big sales promotion.

Even plenty of germans think it's a forbidden book. But it isn't. The best proof ist the fear, that after the ending of copyright at once new reprints will be on offer. In ordinary bookshops. So they decided to start annotated academic version. To let historical interested people not allone with the disastrous original text.

P.S.
The same idea 1988 with an annotated diary of Anne Frank. Of course it no nasty book. But it's an good idea to give more background information.
And 1992 an new edition of the common edition, because her father revised it very much.

[faltradl]

My grandaunt didn't litter "Mein Kampf". We do not know why. She hat put it in the second row of her bookcase. So we succeeded it. For my father an me it's only a historical document.

I read about 3 pages to know how Hitler wrote. It nauseated me at once.

Originally Posted by murg

I waiting for a previously unknown co-author to pop out of the woodwork...

LOL! It was first published 90 years ago in 1925.

[LovesMacs]

I've read this and it's not well written. Put it this way: if World War II hadn't happened, few people would bother reading this book.

[crich70]

The end copyright date of course is predicated to be this year on dec 31st based on the belief on when Hitler died. I've seen a program on tv where some think he escaped to south America. Apparently the skull that was believed to be his was tested genetically and found to be female. By now of course he has to be dead as he'd be over 126 yrs old.

[crich70]

Volksverhetzung, in English "incitement of the masses", "instigation of the people" (the official English translation of the German criminal code uses "incitement to hatred"[1][2]), is a concept in German criminal law that refers to incitement to hatred against segments of the population and refers to calls for violent or arbitrary measures against them, including assaults against the human dignity of others by insulting, maliciously maligning, or defaming segments of the population.[3][1][2]

It is often applied to, though not limited to, trials relating to Holocaust denial in Germany. The criminal code (Strafgesetzbuch) Chapter 7 (Offences against public order), Paragraph 130 (Incitement to hatred) of the Federal Republic of Germany defines when a person is guilty of Volksverhetzung

Where I found the above.
The law