The German Research Foundation’s code of good scientific practice sets out who may be named as an author. An author is someone who made “einen genuinen, nachvollziehbaren Beitrag,” a genuine contribution that others can trace, to the content of the work. The explanations add a sentence aimed at the top of the hierarchy. “Eine Leitungs- oder Vorgesetztenfunktion begründet für sich allein keine Mitautorschaft.” A leading or supervisory position does not by itself justify co-authorship. Honorary authorship, where no such contribution was made, is not permitted.