In a high-profile victory for artistic freedom, German metal band Rammstein have won an appeal to display their latest album in the country's stores. A Cologne court ruled in favour of the group, reversing a law that effectively banned Liebe ist für alle da from public display.
Last November, Germany's office for the examination of media harmful to young people (BPjM) announced that Liebe ist für alle da (Love is There for Everyone), and the song Ich tu dir weh (I Want to Hurt You), were harmful to children, saying that Rammstein were glorifying violence and unprotected sex. They also objected to the album's artwork, which featured a butcher standing over a naked woman, and a photograph of guitarist Richard Kruspe spanking a nude prisoner. The major-label album – which reached No 1 in Germany – was ordered to be sold "under the counter", while Ich tu dir weh was banned from live performance.
Universal Music reissued the album with new artwork, and minus the offending song. But they also pursued the government agency in court, demanding that Rammstein ought to be able to put the original album back on the over-the-counter market.
The court has now ruled in their favour, declaring that the BPjM did not have the right to put Liebe ist für alle da on the restricted list. According to the decision, the BPjM did not justify their argument that the album's supposed sadism could be harmful to the sexual development of young people, nor was the song Ich tu dir weh offensive enough to deserve prohibition. It contains "only a surrealistic hint" at nasty things, according to Billboard, and not "a detailed and real description of violence".
The BPjM plans to appeal the court order, which will take at least six months. Meanwhile, Rammstein may sell the original version of their album.