The agreement is governed by German law, with disputes to be resolved exclusively in Cologne, Germany, subject to a carve-out for mandatory provisions of a user's country of residence.
This analysis describes what DeepL's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes the legal framework and forum for resolving disputes under the agreement. The mandatory law carve-out acknowledges that consumer protection rules in a subscriber's home country may override the German law and Cologne jurisdiction selection, which is particularly relevant for EU consumers under the Rome I Regulation and Brussels I Recast Regulation.
Interpretive note: Enforceability of the Cologne jurisdiction clause for non-EU subscribers (particularly US users) depends on the forum's assessment of forum selection clauses in consumer contracts under applicable domestic law.
Added carve-out clause allowing mandatory provisions of customer's country of residence law to override Cologne jurisdiction in specified cases.
View full change record →Under this clause, disputes with DeepL are governed by German law and heard in Cologne courts, unless mandatory consumer protection law in the subscriber's country of residence applies. EU consumers retain protections under applicable EU private international law rules that preserve the application of mandatory national consumer law provisions.
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For any claims that are not subject to arbitration...U.S. Residents: Delaware law; venue exclusively in the state or federal courts in New Castle County, Delaware
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California and the United States without regard to conflicts of laws provisions
"These Terms are governed by the laws of Germany. Any disputes arising from or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Cologne, Germany, unless mandatory provisions of the law of your country of residence apply.Excerpt from DeepL's Terms and Conditions
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The governing law clause engages the Rome I Regulation (EC 593/2008) for EU contracts, which preserves mandatory consumer protection provisions of the consumer's habitual residence regardless of the chosen law.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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This provision establishes the legal framework and forum for resolving disputes under the agreement. The mandatory law carve-out acknowledges that consumer protection rules in a subscriber's home country may override the German law and Cologne jurisdiction selection, which is particularly relevant for EU consumers under the Rome I Regulation and Brussels I Recast Regulation.
Under this clause, disputes with DeepL are governed by German law and heard in Cologne courts, unless mandatory consumer protection law in the subscriber's country of residence applies. EU consumers retain protections under applicable EU private international law rules that preserve the application of mandatory national consumer law provisions.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 266 platforms. See the full comparison.
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