The claim

Many suspect that the ban on depicting Z will also lead to Zorro films being banned.

Our conclusion

This is nonsense, since Zorro's distinctive Z has no connection whatsoever with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

As is well known, the letters Z and V can be seen very often on Russian military vehicles, and the Z in particular has now become a propaganda symbol with which people in this country also want to show that they support Russia's attack on Ukraine, for example stick the letter large on the rear window of their cars.
Several federal states have now criminalized the depiction of Z, which means that some people now seem to suspect that the famous Zorro films will now also be banned.
But that's nonsense, because it depends on the context!

The claim

Since the end of March, when the BMI announced that showing the Z symbol could potentially be punishable, the claim has been circulating on social networks again and again.

Some put it questioningly, others are apparently absolutely certain that the Zorro films are now also banned, after all, his trademark is a large Z, which he draws with his sword.

MIMIKAMA
Zorro should be banned? Nonsense!

What does it look like legally?

Section 140 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code, showing the Z in connection with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is the endorsement of an unlawful act using an image in accordance with Section 11 (3) of the Criminal Code . Section 80a of the Criminal Code also comes into play (incitement to commit the crime of aggression through dissemination of content in accordance with Section 13 of the International Criminal Code ).

That was a lot of laws in just one paragraph, so I'll put it in simpler terms here:
If the letter Z is shown publicly and clearly to the average person in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, this can have criminal consequences.

So it depends on the clear context!
If there is a Z on the front door because the family name begins with that letter, then that is not an endorsement of aggressive war. Of course, even being a Z supporter because your name is Zora or Zacharias is not punishable.

It is also not a criminal offense if the Z is used as a logo, for example as Zurich Insurance does. The Fiege Brewery didn't even have to remove the Z from its Zwickelbier labels ( we reported ), as no one would suspect that the brewery would approve of the war of aggression.

But if the Z is clearly used, for example in connection with a photo of Putin or a Russian flag or as part of a pro-Russian demonstration, then the above-mentioned § 140 StGB applies: approval of an unlawful act.

Conclusion

No, Zorro films have not been and will not be banned because the use of the Z in the films and comics has no connection with the endorsement of the war of aggression against Ukraine.

Further sources: Legal Tribune Online , rbb , Tagesschau


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Notes:
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