“Beewashing” court case
Trouble over honey advertising goes into the next round: After defeat, Böhmerman appeals
Beekeeper Rico Heinzig, beekeeper presents the advertising poster that triggered the honey dispute with Jan Böhmermann
© Sebastian Kahnert / DPA
TV satirist Jan Böhmermann presented a beekeeper from Saxony on his show. The honey man used this as advertising for himself. Böhmermann doesn’t like it at all – and goes to court for the second time.
The legal tug of war between TV satirists Jan Böhmermann and a Saxon beekeeper go to the next instance. The moderator’s lawyers have lodged an appeal against the Dresden Regional Court’s first ruling in the matter. The letter was received on March 7th, as a spokeswoman for the Dresden Higher Regional Court told the DPA news agency. The responsible 4th Senate will deal with the matter and decide or negotiate.
Böhmermann wanted to ban beekeeper and honey producer Rico Heinzig from Meißen from selling and advertising a “beewashing” honey with his name and face that was created after a broadcast on “ZDF Magazin Royale” in November 2023. However, on February 8, a civil judge rejected the request for a ban as “unfounded” in her application for an interim injunction.
Heinzig had been named and shown without prior consultation in a report about companies that were engaging in “beewashing” as a form of greenwashing – a play on the words greenwashing and the English word for bees. As a satirical reaction, the entrepreneur released a “beewashing” honey and advertised it in a Dresden supermarket with the name, picture and quotes from the show. Heinzig refused to issue a cease-and-desist declaration from the other side – and Böhmermann then sued.
Beekeeper Heinzig: First trial against Böhmermann won
Heinzig commented on the development that the other side was playing for time, “they want to wear me down” until he runs out of money and patience. In view of the clarity of the first instance judgment, “I am disappointed, that is not a nice style”. However, he won’t give up. “I’m not an argumentative person, I’m purely in defense, and I don’t have to advertise it.” He won the first trial, “because of me it can stay that way.”
From the civil judge’s point of view, Heinzig had found “a suitable means” to deal with the case for a limited time in a satirical manner and clearly visible to the public. The moderator must accept reactions from those who would be drawn into the spotlight and negatively affected by his contributions.
Before the verdict was announced, Heinzig had removed the “Beewashing” honey from its range in order to avoid a possible share of sales in connection with damages if the other side was successful. According to the beekeeper, the remaining stocks of the disputed item remain under lock and key – until a final decision is made.