Robert Szustkowski, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, has filed a lawsuit against Ringier Axel Springer Polska (RASP), demanding payment of over PLN 54 million. The lawsuit concerns RASP’s refusal to pay a contractual penalty due to delays in implementing the terms of the settlement signed in 2020.
Reason for the lawsuit
In August 2023, Robert Szustkowski demanded that RASP pay a contractual penalty of over PLN 50 million for failure to comply with the terms of the 2020 settlement. This settlement obliged the publisher to permanently remove publications that violated Szustkowski’s dignity and good name from the years 2016-2018. RASP refused to pay the penalty, which is why the case went to court.
The largest financial claim in Poland
The lawsuit for payment of over PLN 54 million may turn out to be the largest financial claim in the history of cases for infringement of personal rights in Poland. The settlement, which was a consequence of a favorable ruling for Szustkowski by Polish courts, confirmed that his personal rights were violated by RASP’s publications.
Consequences of failure to comply with the settlement
RASP’s failure to remove the harmful publications caused significant losses for Szustkowski. The consequences include the need to withdraw his investment from Poland, the closure of his charitable foundation, health problems and the need to protect his own safety and that of his family. Szustkowski’s son also suffers from false accusations of ties to Russia, which affects his personal and professional life.
Purpose of the settlement
The 2020 settlement aimed to obtain an apology, pay an agreed amount to charity and increase the liability of publishers for the accuracy of published content. As a result of RASP’s failure to comply with the terms of the settlement, Robert Szustkowski suffered numerous losses, which led to the filing of the described lawsuit.
Source: https://todaynews.co.uk/2025/01/03/ringier-axel-springer-polska-faces-lawsuit-for-over-pln-54-million/