Anbieter

Anbieter is a German noun meaning provider or supplier. It denotes a person or organization that makes goods or services available to others. The term is generic and used across business, technology, and law; it can refer to manufacturers, retailers, service operators, or platform companies. In discussions of markets, it is often paired with Nachfrager (the demand side) or Kunde (customer). An Anbieter may range from a sole proprietor to a multinational corporation.

Etymology: from bieten, to offer, with the prefix an‑; literally "one who offers."

Common usage: In commerce, an Anbieter sells or leases products or services. In information technology and media, a service provider that runs a digital platform or delivers content is referred to as an Anbieter. For websites and apps, the term frequently appears in the Impressum to identify the party responsible for the site as the Anbieter.

Legal and regulatory context: German law frequently uses the term, though more technical labels such as Dienstanbieter or Diensteanbieter appear in specific statutes. As a generic term, Anbieter is used in consumer protection, contract law, and competition discussions to denote market participants who offer goods or services and thus bear certain duties and liabilities.

Examples: Telekommunikationsanbieter; Energieanbieter; Streaminganbieter; Marktplatzanbieter.

The term remains neutral and widely applicable, with nuance depending on context.