“no-ear bunnies” and “two-ear chicks”
Legal dispute drags on: Anika Decker wants a higher stake in Schweiger’s hit movies
Anika Decker (left) and Til Schweiger at the Bavarian Film Awards ceremony in 2009, where they accepted the “Audience Award” for “Keinohrhasen”.
© Tobias Hase/ / Picture Alliance
The legal dispute between Anika Decker and Til Schweiger continues. Before the Berlin district court, the author demands more participation in the income from “no-eared rabbits” and “two-eared chicks”. A verdict is now due in three weeks.
The romantic comedies “Keinohrhasen” and “Zweiohrküken” attracted millions of visitors to the cinema in 2008 and 2010 and brought the producer and leading actor Til Schweiger high profits. In the legal dispute, which has been ongoing since 2018, about a higher share of the screenwriter Anika Decker in the total income from the two hit movies, a decision is to be announced in three weeks. The Berlin district court postponed the date planned for August 30th to September 20th.
The background to Decker’s lawsuit is the “fairness clause” in copyright law. It provides for an additional payment if there is a striking disproportion between the originally agreed fee and the income later achieved. “Keinohrhasen” was the most successful German film in cinemas in 2008. “Zweiohrchicken” also later attracted millions of visitors. Neither Decker’s lawyer nor Schweiger’s production company responded to inquiries from dpa for comments on the upcoming date.
Legal dispute between Anika Decker and Til Schweiger since 2018
First of all, Decker successfully sued the production company and rights holder Barefoot Films and the media group Warner Bros. for information about the income from the films. This involved both cinema revenues and exploitation income, for example from DVD, television and streaming services.
The district court agreed with Decker in 2020 on the grounds that due to the above-average success of both films, there were indications of a possible claim by the author for further participation. It can remain open whether she is the sole author of the screenplays or just a co-author.
May only be eligible for earnings since 2015
The second step was a lawsuit for a share of the unusually high income. According to media reports, a court hearing in July discussed whether the screenplays were written primarily by Decker or by her together with Schweiger. It was also about her earlier payment for the two screenplays and an additional payment. However, there was also a deadline after which information on winnings must be requested within three years, otherwise the statute of limitations will apply.
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Decker may therefore only be entitled to a share of the profits from later exploitations on the internet from 2015 and not from the original theatrical revenues. According to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, in July the court named four percent of that revenue to which Decker could be entitled. A sum of 180,000 euros was mentioned. That would mean that since 2015, three years before the lawsuit was filed, 4.5 million euros were still being made with the films that are no longer up to date.