Buzz
These legal disputes are so peculiar, they could easily belong in a museum exhibit themselves.
1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Entering the Met feels as invaluable as the over two million pieces in its everlasting collection.
Well, sort of. A New York state law from 1893 granted the museum rent-free city land on the condition that the public could enter without charge for at least five days and two evenings each week. (Sadly, no such law ever applied to NYC apartments.) This law was revised in 1970, permitting the Met to suggest a donation amount, provided it was optional and clearly indicated as such.
Fast forward 43 years, and three visitors are suing the Met, claiming the museum misled the public by presenting the $25 recommended donation as mandatory. The lawsuit argues that using the term “recommended” instead of “suggested” is deceptive, and that staff are instructed to request the full amount without clarifying that payment is voluntary.
What’s your take? Is there really a meaningful difference between “recommended” and “suggested”? Or is it like comparing Monet to Manet? (Or Manet to mayonnaise?)
2. The National September 11 Museum and Memorial
Two days after the 9/11 attacks, a 17-foot cross-shaped beam, believed to be from the North Tower, was found in the debris of Ground Zero. For many Christians, the beam became a powerful symbol of faith, hope, and recovery in the wake of the tragedy. It served as a temporary memorial until July 2011, when it was moved to the 9/11 memorial site.
In August 2012, American Atheists, Inc. filed a lawsuit against the museum, arguing that showcasing the beam breached state civil rights laws and the Constitution’s establishment clause. The 9/11 museum countered that the beam is a historical artifact, not a religious symbol or endorsement, and emphasized its status as an independent nonprofit, not a government entity. Recently, a judge dismissed the case.
3. The Dallas Museum of Art
Museum collections thrive thanks to art lovers—though usually far wealthier ones. In 2011, Arnold Schroeder, Jr. took legal action against the Dallas Museum of Art over a $400 million art donation from his late mother, Wendy Reves. He alleged that the museum’s former art director illicitly removed 1,400 paintings, sculptures, and drawings from the South of France, where his mother and stepfather resided. Schroeder argued that French law entitled him to half of his mother’s estate, and it’s safe to assume he had his eye on the Van Gogh pieces for his own walls.
The catch? Reves passed away in 2007 ... but had donated the collection to the Dallas Museum of Art back in 1985. Another complication: The art actually belonged to Schroeder’s stepfather, not his mother. Oops!
On the bright side, Schroeder can now view the collection for free between 11 AM and 5 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. And so can you.
4. Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia
PEZ isn’t beloved for its taste—it’s all about the dispensers. Gary Doss, a collector who owned every cartoon-themed dispenser ever made, initially displayed his collection in his computer store. By 1995, he realized customers were more captivated by his PEZ displays than his tech products, prompting him to establish the Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia.
Riding high on the museum’s popularity—and perhaps a sugar rush—Doss unveiled its centerpiece in 2006: a 7'10" plastic replica of the retired "Snowman B" PEZ dispenser. This functional art piece, which dispenses snowman-shaped dispensers, earned the title of World’s Largest Candy Dispenser from the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007.
That’s when PEZ decided to take legal action.
The company sued Doss for trademark infringement, demanding the destruction of the 85-pound snowman before it caused any harm, like toppling over or injuring someone. PEZ also sought sales data for dispensers the museum repackaged and sold in its gift shop. Doss stood his ground, asserting that he had taken steps to clarify the museum’s independence from PEZ. He was simply a devoted fan being sued for celebrating the product he adored.
In 2010, the lawsuit was dismissed following an undisclosed settlement between the parties. The beloved small-town museum has since grown, featuring exhibits of both classic and controversial toys, and was recognized as one of Time.com’s Top 50 American Roadside Attractions. Despite its growth, the museum remains dedicated to its core focus—PEZ.
