Publisher of Hitler’s Mein Kampf – Marek S. – has been sentenced to three months suspended sentence to be served within a two year period or a fine of 10,000 zloty for violating copyright laws.

Marek S. is the owner of the Wroclaw publisher XXL who published Adolf Hitler’s semi-autobiography Mein Kampf (‘My Struggle’) without the rights to do so from the state of Bavaria, who holds the publication’s copyright.

Bavaria took Marek S. to court for publishing the book before 31 December 2015, when the book is scheduled to enter public domain (seventy years after the author’s death).

Joanna Lassota, representing Bavaria, sought an eight month suspended sentence and demanded a symbolic fine that would show others that it is not worth it to violate copyright laws.

The defense, headed by Andrzej Mekal, maintained that it is true that the publisher intended to earn money on the book but did not know who held the exclusive rights to publish it. (mmj)