Overview
- The Günter und Ute Grass-Stiftung confirmed that the worldwide publication rights formerly held by Steidl no longer sit with the Göttingen publisher, a development reported Tuesday.
- The foundation ended cooperation with Steidl in May, citing repeated payment arrears that preceded the publisher’s preliminary insolvency filing in early July.
- A preliminary insolvency proceeding for Steidl GmbH & Co. OHG is under way with provisional administrator Stefan Liese and creditor claims that include unpaid social contributions and delayed wages.
- The rights are now vacant and the foundation says it is conducting confidential talks with potential new licensees, creating an open market for future editions and exhibitions tied to Grass’s work.
- Steidl had held Grass’s worldwide rights since 1993 and had been preparing centenary activities for 2027, so the transfer is both a cultural loss for the publisher and a financial blow that could affect staff and ongoing archive plans.