'Mein Kampf' to be reprinted

The state of Bavaria plans to publish an annotated version of "Mein Kampf" in German and English in 2015, just before the state loses its exclusive rights to Hitler's book of Nazi ideology.

From 2016 Bavaria won't be able to prevent third parties from printing the book, said Bavarian Finance Minister Markus Söder on Tuesday. Thus, the aim with annotated editions is to prevent "Mein Kampf" from being abused for political aims - and to limit profits for future publishers.

"In all the editions we want to make clear what nonsense the book contains as well as its fatal consequences," Söder said in Nuremberg after the first meeting of a round table meant to determine what strategy to take.

The group suggested that a selection of annotated texts from the book be published specifically for school children, Söder said.

The round table is made up of government officials and representatives of Germany's Jewish community and churches, among others.

Munich's Institute of Contemporary History has been charged with publishing the annotated edition, for which it has received 500,000 euros ($660,000) from the Bavarian government.

The book's copyright is held by Bavaria, which has previously declined to publish it. In 2016, Mein Kampf will enter the public domain, as 70 years will have passed since the death of its author.

ncy/msh (dpa, epd)