Quiz Creator Sues Michigan State University for Unauthorized Use of Hitler Image During Football Game

The contentious display of Adolf Hitler's image on the jumbotron during a Michigan State University (MSU) football game has now escalated to a federal lawsuit, as the creator of the quiz aired at the event, Carsilius Media BV, is suing the university for unauthorized use of their content. According to CBS News Detroit, Carsilius Media, which operates The Quiz Channel on YouTube, filed the suit seeking at least $150,000 in damages, after their quiz was projected on MSU's video boards during the Oct. 21, 2023, game against the University of Michigan, without their consent.

The lawsuit alleges that MSU's actions not only infringed on the company's intellectual property but also engaged in an invasion of privacy by placing the creator, Floris van Pallandt, in a false light to the public; the university publicly blamed the company for including the image in the quiz when the image and the quiz were presented at Spartan Stadium approximately 80 minutes before the game started, as per Lansing State Journal.

At the core of the dispute, MSU is accused of broadcasting the quiz that contained a question about Hitler's birthplace using a matching image from an episode posted by The Quiz Channel on Oct. 13, 2023; Floris van Pallandt and his company are seeking damages, the prohibition of future use of The Quiz Channel's content by MSU, attorney fees, and additional relief as seen in the lawsuit obtained by The State News.

As part of the lawsuit, Carsilius Media also contends that the university's deflective accusations have the potential to damage a critical revenue stream agreement worth $135,000; further, the company is concerned about the negative portrayal of The Quiz Channel that could impair the value of their partnership or cause it to be seen in a negative light, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict that occurred around two weeks prior to the quiz's broadcast, this timing prompted a considerable amount of negative media coverage, both nationally and internationally, according to the legal documentation cited by Lansing State Journal.

MSU spokesperson Mark Bullion stated the university is aware of the lawsuit but declined further comment on the matter. While the full legal ramifications for MSU remain to be seen, the public response to the original incident has undoubtedly underscored the sensitivity and significance of content displayed in such highly visible public forums.