"The most valuable thing we have": Bild sues Focus Online

With the lawsuit, Bild objects to Focus Online systematically copying exclusive paid content from Bild Plus and making it part of its own business model, which markets journalism based on reach, Axel Springer said in a statement on Tuesday. The basis of the lawsuit is the targeted obstruction of Bild Plus' business model as well as a violation of the database right.

After individual cases had repeatedly come to light, Bild compared all Bild Plus articles and their exclusive content with the free content of Focus Online over a period of several months. The result: Focus Online systematically denied the exclusive BILDplus stories on its own website, often immediately after the first publication, according to the statement. With the lawsuit, Bild is now demanding injunctive relief, information and damages.

Julian Reichelt, Editor-in-Chief of Bild Digital: "For us, this is about the most valuable thing we have as a journalistic brand: our content researched with our own resources. We initially criticized individual cases to Focus Online in good faith - without success. Unfortunately, we then discovered that Focus Online was systematically stealing and exploiting our exclusive stories in order to increase its own reach at low cost and without any editorial investment. With this behavior, Focus Online is attacking the business model of an entire industry - we have to defend ourselves against this."