Raue secures recognition of Götz Valien as co-author of Paris Bar paintings at Munich Higher Regional Court

Raue represented Berlin-based artist Götz Valien in appeal proceedings against the Estate of Martin Kippenberger, which manages the late artist’s copyright estate and publishes his catalogue raisonné. The Munich Higher Regional Court, in a decision dated 18 December 2025, upheld the earlier judgment of the Munich I Regional Court and accepted Valien’s claim in full. The court held that Valien must be named as co-author alongside Martin Kippenberger in all exploitation of the Paris Bar paintings. Raue had instituted proceedings on Valien’s behalf in 2022 after the Estate refused to recognise and name him as co-author. The dispute concerns two large-format works known as Paris Bar (Versions 1 and 2), created in 1992 and 1993 for the Berlin cinema poster painting company Werner-Werbung and the owners of the Paris Bar. The paintings, which depict the interior of the Paris Bar and later achieved international renown and high auction prices, had for many years been attributed solely to Martin Kippenberger. Valien executed and signed the works at the time of commission, and only became aware of Kippenberger’s original commission following the sensational auction of Paris Bar (Version 1) at Christie’s. In its ruling the Munich Higher Regional Court applied the European Court of Justice’s principles on the concept of a copyrighted work. The court found that the Paris Bar paintings bear Valien’s personal imprint, reflecting free and creative artistic decisions. The judgment emphasised Valien’s distinctive brushwork, selection of perspective, use of colour and contrast, attention to detail, and handling of light and shadow as expressions of his creative freedom and authorship. Felix Stang, partner at Raue and Valien’s legal representative, said the decision strengthens the position of co-authors whose original contributions shape joint works and called for the art world to adopt the acknowledgement practices long established in film, music and architecture. Raue represented Götz Valien with a team composed by: Dr. Felix Laurin Stang (partner; Valien’s legal representative) and Prof. Dr. Peter Raue.

Raue secures recognition of Götz Valien as co-author of Paris Bar paintings at Munich Higher Regional Court

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