Ringier sentenced to surrender profits
Because the *Sonntags-Blick* referred to the father of tennis player Patty Schnyder as a Taliban member in an article, Ringier must now pay the damages to Willy Schnyder. The Federal Supreme Court ruled in this matter, thereby setting a precedent.
Because the Sonntags-Blick newspaper referred to the father of tennis player Patty Schnyder as a Taliban in an article, Ringier must now pay out the profits to Willy Schnyder. This was decided by the Federal Supreme Court, thus setting a precedent. The Federal Supreme Court has ordered Ringier to pay Patty Schnyder's father the profits from two articles in Sonntags-Blick that violated his personality rights. It is not yet clear how much this sum will be. The Zurich High Court will now determine the amount to be paid in evidentiary proceedings. Willy Schnyder's claim amounts to 75,000 Swiss francs. However, according to the SDA report, the court also stated that not every violation of personality rights in the media justifies a profit levy.
Between February and March 2002, Sonntags-Blick published four articles on the athlete's quarrel with her father. Following Schnyder's complaint, the Zurich judiciary determined that he had been portrayed in an inadmissible manner. Schnyder was accused of being involved in opaque financial transactions and fulfilling his role as a father like a Taliban. He was also suspected of embezzlement, blackmail and coercion. The Sonntags-Blick had thus violated Schnyder's personality. In December 2005, the court ordered the media company to publish the verdict, but not to pay compensation or hand over the winnings. Schnyder challenged these two points before the Federal Supreme Court and the winnings have now been awarded to him.
Between February and March 2002, Sonntags-Blick published four articles on the athlete's quarrel with her father. Following Schnyder's complaint, the Zurich judiciary determined that he had been portrayed in an inadmissible manner. Schnyder was accused of being involved in opaque financial transactions and fulfilling his role as a father like a Taliban. He was also suspected of embezzlement, blackmail and coercion. The Sonntags-Blick had thus violated Schnyder's personality. In December 2005, the court ordered the media company to publish the verdict, but not to pay compensation or hand over the winnings. Schnyder challenged these two points before the Federal Supreme Court and the winnings have now been awarded to him.
