VIPsight.eu Views, Information, Politics regarding Corporate Governance

STATUTE

to regulate agreements between the sponsor (nn) and the sponsorship recipient ddb (Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek GmbH, publisher of the publication VIPsight.eu)

§ 1 Definitions

(1) Donations are money, property or other benefits which are granted without the need for any consideration to be agreed or expected other than as mentioned herein. (2) The characteristic of sponsorship benefits is the non-business, altruistic provision of donations in cash or in kind without valuable consideration and not tied primarily to an advertising effect.

For the sponsor, it is important to promote the goal- and project-related work of the sponsorship recipient stipulated in the contract in general and with the aim of obtaining a counter-performance supporting his own marketing objectives in the form of communication (improvement of corporate image, dissemination of the brand, placement of the logo etc.)

§ 2 Requirements

Donations to the sponsorship recipient are in principle for non-profit purposes within the meaning of the Tax Code (§ 51ff. AO). In line with the sponsorship recipient’s fundamental principles, they may be sought only under the following conditions:

• Freedom of journalistic work without any other special interests is to be ensured at all times.

• VIPsight’s reputation must be upheld.

• Donations must be independent of sales transactions with the parties and may not be made a prerequisite for transactions with one of the parties.

• Donations must be used for the production of the newsletter VIPsight.eu - direct donations to individuals are not allowed.

• Transparency must be ensured.

§ 3 Transparency

Any form of donation must be understandable and recognizable to readers. To this end, the publisher shall inform the editor at least once a year of all donations made and their amount.

§ 4 Procedures and written form

(1) The handling of work with sponsors has to be based on objective criteria. Persons approached with offers of donations shall immediately inform the publisher or an agency designated by him.

(2) Before deciding whether a donation will be accepted, it shall be determined whether a a counter-performance is expected by the sponsor. If so, particular attention is to be paid to ensuring that the donation is unobjectionable. A donation must be refused in particular if the donor wants to influence specific issues or content or claim more than abstract visibility for himself.

(3) The projects promoted may not offer improper benefits to the sponsorship recipient or the publisher. Even the appearance of undue advantage should be avoided. Specific payments for an additional and clearly defined task (e.g. project management) remain unaffected. The regulations of Länder-specific tax laws shall apply.

(4) The object and purpose of the donation are to be set out understandably and in written form. Specific tasks and - if a counter-performance within the meaning of §1(2) is expected in return - counter-performances are to be designated precisely.

(5) The conclusion of sponsorship agreements shall be decided by the publisher, in agreement with the editor.

(6) Sponsorship agreements or promises of donations must in principle be in writing. If written form is waived, this is to be put on record, indicating the grounds.

(7) In connection with donations no benefits may be promised or suggested, and no additional agreements may be made that go beyond those specified in writing.

(8) Use of the logo and name “VIPsight.eu” may be made by a sponsor only with the express consent of the sponsorship recipient.

§ 5 Entry into force

These guidelines shall enter into force, by decision of the publisher’s board and the editor’s management, with their publication on the VIPsight.eu homepage.

Florence, January 2014