Michigan State Sued Over Pre-Game Hitler Question

Creator demands $150K for unauthorized use, reputation damage
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Aug 14, 2024 3:15 PM CDT
Michigan State Sued Over Pre-Game Hitler Question
Michigan State players take the field before an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich.   (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)

Michigan State University faces a lawsuit in connection with an Adolf Hitler question displayed on Spartan Stadium screens before a game against Michigan. Floris van Pallandt, owner of Carsilius Media and operator of The Quiz Channel on YouTube, filed the suit, seeking $150,000 in damages. Van Pallandt claims the university used his quiz without permission, leading to copyright infringement and public ridicule.

The incident occurred on October 21, when a European history quiz featuring a question about Hitler's birthplace was shown. The unauthorized use of the quiz led to disciplinary action against the responsible employee and a public apology from the university. Athletic Director Alan Haller acknowledged accountability for all videoboard content, while another school spokesperson labeled the content as inappropriate and committed to avoiding third-party sources in the future.

In the lawsuit, Van Pallandt alleges that Michigan State's actions amounted to reputational damage and theft. He emphasized that the quiz was not intended for mass-market use and could have been appropriately tailored if the university had sought permission. Van Pallandt criticized Michigan State for failing to take responsibility, stating, "This attempt to deflect blame is dishonest by omitting any comments about Michigan State's role in this fiasco."

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Word Count: 208 (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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