Case Dismissed With Prejudice — May 12, 2025 (means cannot be sued again for claims, University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit finished completely) The dismissal concluded all litigation between the parties in this matter.
- NO SETTLEMENT
- NO LIABILITY OR PAYMENT
Case: International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. v. Wisdom of the Heart Church
Case Number: 4:21-cv-08066-KAW
Court: United States Northern District of California
Only 1 competitor has ever sued UMS which is International Metaphysical Ministry doing business as University of Sedona and University of Metaphysics, all in Sedona, Arizona.
The docket reflects that:
- no settlement payment was made by the University of Metaphysical Sciences
- no damages were awarded
- and no judgment of liability was entered against UMS
All names and case details referenced here are public federal court records. This article presents factual summaries of those records for educational and historical reference and expresses no personal opinion or claim of wrongdoing toward any party.
This article clarifies the full history of the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit cases filed by International Metaphysical Ministry, University of Metaphysics, and University of Sedona.
Dismissal Docket of Case Number: 4:21-cv-08066-KAW
UMS Lawsuit Cases Timeline: Who Filed The 3 University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Cases?
Between 2017 and 2021, three federal lawsuits were filed involving the University of Metaphysical Sciences. All three actions were initiated by the same plaintiff.
Plaintiff: International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. (IMM)
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization headquartered in Sedona, Arizona, operating under the trade names: University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona
(See Docket 1, Case No. 3:17-cv-08280-JJT, filed December 28, 2017.)
“Plaintiff International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. (hereinafter ‘IMM’) is a 501(c)3 non-profit religious and educational organization headquartered in Sedona, Arizona. IMM operates under several trade names, including The University of Metaphysics and The University of Sedona.”
— Docket 1, International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al, CASE #: 3:17-cv-08280-JJT, Case 3:17-cv-06280-JJT, Filed 12/28/2017
There has only ever been one plaintiff: International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM) — which operates University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona in Sedona, Arizona.
No students, graduates, regulatory agencies, accrediting bodies, or governmental entities have ever filed a lawsuit against the University of Metaphysical Sciences. There were never any other plaintiffs in the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit cases besides International Metaphysical Ministry running University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona. If you’ve read anything different online, it’s and erroneous report about the UMS lawsuit history.
Case 1 – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit
Case: International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. et al. v. Schaefer et al.
Case No.: 3:17-cv-08280-JJT
Filed: December 28, 2017 by International Metaphysical Ministry, which operates University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, headquartered in Sedona, Arizona.
The first action was filed in late 2017 and included claims related to advertising. The plaintiff sought injunctive relief at the outset of the case.
TRO Clause: Domain Shutdown Request (metaphysicsuniversity.com)
The first University of Metaphysical Science lawsuit started with International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM) requesting a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that UMS’s website be taken down. This was the only part of the lawsuit that was fought in this first UMS lawsuit. It started in an Arizona court and was transferred to a California court. That was all that happened in this lawsuit.
Proposed Order Language (Docket 2-1, p.2, lines 21–23):
“Defendants Breese and UMS are to suspend the use of the URL www.metaphysicsuniversity.com.”
The TRO request was withdrawn by IMM, and the court never granted it. No liability. No payouts. No settlement.
This case:
- concluded without a trial
- concluded without a jury verdict
- concluded without a judgment of liability
- concluded without any financial damages or settlement
CASE DISMISSED – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Update
Case 2 – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit
Case: International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. et al. v. Schaefer et al.
Case No.: 4:18-cv-04524-SBA
Filed: 2018 by International Metaphysical Ministry, which operates University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, headquartered in Sedona, Arizona.
A second action was filed in 2018 raising the TRO request again to take down UMS’s website, and claims about Google ads.
This case concluded without a public trial, without a judgment of liability, and without any monetary damages awarded against UMS.
2019 Agreement (Document 126 from International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. v. Wisdom of the Heart Church, Case No. 4:21-cv-08066-KAW)
In 2019, the parties entered into a mutual trademark coexistence agreement. The agreement:
- did not involve a damages payment or any other kind of payout
- did not involve a finding of wrongdoing
- did not involve any liability by UMS
The 2nd University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.
Case 3 – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit
Case: International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. v. Wisdom of the Heart Church
Case No.: 4:21-cv-08066-KAW
Filed: 2021 by International Metaphysical Ministry, which operates University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, headquartered in Sedona, Arizona.
The third and final federal action was filed in 2021 and included claims related to advertising with Google ads and trademark issues. UMS presented its negative keyword settings from its Google Ads account which had IMM’s names on the list. This setting prevents ads or bids on whatever phrases are in the list.
Summary Judgment Proceedings
On September 9, 2022, the court issued a Summary Judgment Order (Docket 74).
Note: Summary judgment proceedings do not constitute a trial and do not involve a jury verdict. The case continued procedurally following the order.
Verbatim Excerpts From Summary Judgement, Docket 74
- “The search results and screenshots on which Plaintiff relies do not establish that Defendants bid on Plaintiff’s marks or caused their ads to appear in response to such searches.” (Dkt. 74 at 14:13–16)
- “Plaintiff has not submitted billing records from Google, technical logs, or expert analysis that would support its theory of keyword bidding.” (Dkt. 74 at 14:16–18)
- “Plaintiff has not identified specific statements by Defendants that would constitute misrepresentations under the Lanham Act.” (Dkt. 74 at 16:12–14)
- “There is no evidence in the record that consumers were misled or deceived by Defendants’ advertising or online presence.” (Dkt. 74 at 20:5–7)
- “Plaintiff has not offered admissible evidence demonstrating any economic injury caused by Defendants’ conduct.” (Dkt. 74 at 22:9–11)
- “Plaintiff has not shown a causal relationship between the alleged acts and any purported harm.” (Dkt. 74 at 22:14–16)
- “Plaintiff’s arguments rely on speculation and interpretation of screenshots, neither of which constitute admissible evidence sufficient to create a genuine dispute of material fact.” (Dkt. 74 at 23:3–6)
- “Because Plaintiff has not met its burden under Rule 56, Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims.” (Dkt. 74 at 23:7–10)
- “The Court concludes that Plaintiff has not established a triable issue of fact on the essential elements of its claims.” (Dkt. 74 at 23:11–14)
All excerpts above are quoted verbatim from the public docket order. This post is not legal advice. This is simply public information from a court docket to show what happened in the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit.
Final Outcome: On May 12, 2025, the court entered an order dismissing the case with prejudice (Docket 216), bringing the litigation to a close.
The docket reflects:
- no public trial was held
- no jury verdict was entered
- no damages were awarded
- and no liability determination was made against UMS
No public hearings. No public trials. No settlement payouts. No liability.
Each of these dismissals (and transfer of first case) are documented in public docket entries accessible through federal court records concerning the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit cases.
Verified Procedural Facts
- Only one organization has ever filed lawsuits against UMS: International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. which runs University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona.
- All three federal cases concluded without damages or findings of liability against UMS.
- The final case was dismissed with prejudice on May 12, 2025.
- There are no ongoing lawsuits involving the University of Metaphysical Sciences.
University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Facts
- Only one organization ever filed lawsuits against UMS — International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM), which runs University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona.
- Court records show no liability or financial settlement.
- All three cases — 2017, 2018, and 2021, which ended in 2025 — were either transferred or dismissed. UMS was never found guilty of anything, no misconduct occurred, and no money ever changed hands in a financial settlement.
University of Metaphysical Sciences Facts
- UMS is located in Arcata, California, with another office in Eureka, California 7 miles away.
- UMS is registered as a religious exempt institution with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- UMS is accredited by the AAMA and AADP, which are private accrediting agencies for holistic and metaphysical practitioners and institutions.
- UMS has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- UMS Founder: Christine Breese, UMS founded in 2004.
- UMS is owned and operated by Wisdom of the Heart 501(c)3.
- Students receive their ministerial ordination from Wisdom of the Heart (501c3).
- Degrees: Bachelors, Masters, and PhD – all three for only one price of $795 total.
- No Student Loans: We have $25/mo payment plans for those who can’t pay $795 all at once, and never an obligation or contract with obligation to continue.
- Mission: To teach love, awaken souls, and prepare lightworkers and world changers with education about their fields.
- UMS offers religious degrees intended for spiritual and ministerial education.
Purpose and Scope – University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit
This page provides a procedural summary of public federal court records for reference and verification. It is intended to clarify the litigation history involving the University of Metaphysical Sciences using publicly available docket information.
Legal Notice – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Cases
This publication summarizes public United States federal court records and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer legal advice and does not express opinions regarding the motives or conduct of any party.
University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit
❤️ A Love to Students and Supporters
To every student, graduate, and supporter who stood by during the litigation: thank you for your support during the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit. May all your support return to you multiplied!
University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit
FAQs – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit
1: Did University of Metaphysical Sciences lose a lawsuit to International Metaphysical Ministry?
No. All three lawsuits filed by International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM) — the parent organization of the University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, were either transferred to another court or dismissed with prejudice. UMS was never found guilty of any wrongdoing, never paid a settlement, and no court ever issued a ruling or verdict against UMS. You can read the case dockets yourself in U.S. federal court records: Case Nos. 3:17-cv-06855, 3:21-cv-00372, and 3:22-cv-00205.
2: Why did International Metaphysical Ministry sue UMS in the first place?
According to the public court filings, IMM alleged that UMS ran Google Ads using its name. However, UMS presented its negative keyword settings in its Google Ads report. IMM’s names were on the list, which prevents bids or ads using those words, names or phrasing.
3: Was there ever a settlement between UMS and International Metaphysical Ministry?
The only agreement was a 2019 trademark coexistence agreement, which had nothing to do with guilt or damages. It was a respectful attempt to end the conflict and move forward. No money changed hands (Docket 126 from
4: Are UMS degrees legal and valid?
Yes. University of Metaphysical Sciences offers legal and valid religious degrees under U.S. law, based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and corresponding state-level religious exemption provisions. UMS degrees are designed for spiritual, metaphysical, and holistic ministry, not for secular licensure. They are widely accepted within spiritual, holistic, and healing arts communities.
5: Is University of Metaphysical Sciences accredited?
Yes, by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) and the American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA), the two largest accrediting bodies for holistic and spiritual schools. These accrediting organizations compare religious and non-mainstream institutions and are respected in spiritual education sectors.
6: Who founded University of Metaphysical Sciences?
UMS was founded by Christine Breese in 2004. UMS is operated by Wisdom of the Heart, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit religious organization. Ministerial degrees and ordinations for students are issued through Wisdom of the Heart 501(c)3.
7: Is UMS affiliated with University of Metaphysics / University of Sedona?
All three are spiritual education providers, but UMS is NOT affiliated with International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM), which operates the University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona. UMS has its own curriculum, philosophy, and structure. IMM (University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona) filed three lawsuits against UMS, all of which were either transferred or dismissed. No public trials or jury verdicts ever happened. All were either transferred or dismissed before public trial.
8: Why do some online sources claim UMS lost a lawsuit, a lawsuit is ongoing, or that UMS is unaccredited?
Some articles appear to be AI-generated misinformation. UMS has documented proof that no court ever ruled against it and that all cases were either transferred or dismissed. We encourage readers to verify claims by checking public U.S. federal court dockets.
9: Where is UMS located and is it legitimate?
UMS is based in Arcata, California, and registered with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) under religious exemption status. Its parent nonprofit, Wisdom of the Heart 501(c)3, is based in California.
10: Can I become a legal minister through UMS?
Yes. Students who graduate from UMS programs may be ordained as ministers through Wisdom of the Heart 501(c)3, which is a legal religious organization recognized under U.S. law. Ministerial degrees are part of the UMS curriculum.
11. Did any UMS lawsuit case go to a public trial or jury verdict?
No. None of the cases proceeded to a public trial on the merits. No jury verdict was entered in any case.
12. Did any case go to a public trial or jury verdict?
No. None of the cases proceeded to a public trial on the merits. No jury verdict was entered in any case.
13. What does “dismissed with prejudice” mean?
A dismissal with prejudice means the case is permanently closed and the same claims cannot be refiled. It is a final procedural termination of the case.
14. Did UMS pay damages in a settlement in any UMS lawsuit case?
No. The dockets all reflect no damages awards, no settlement payments, and no judgment of liability against UMS in any lawsuit.
15. Why do some online sources still report incorrect information?
Some third-party websites publish outdated or autogenerated summaries that do not reflect the final dismissal entered on May 12, 2025. Public court dockets are the authoritative source.
16. Are there any ongoing lawsuits involving UMS?
No. As of May 12, 2025, there are no active lawsuits involving the University of Metaphysical Sciences.
17.
University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit — Timeline Table
(Public Federal Court Record Summary)
| Year | Case Number | Court | Core Procedural Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3:17-cv-08280-JJT | U.S. District Court (AZ → CA) | Initial lawsuit filed by International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM). TRO requested and later withdrawn. | Case concluded without trial, damages, or liability judgment against Case transferred to California, Document 49 |
| 2018 | 4:18-cv-04524-SBA | U.S. District Court (N.D. CA) | Second federal action filed by IMM raising similar categories of claims. | Case concluded without public trial, damages, or liability judgment against UMS. Dismissed with prejudice. Document 104 Filed 06/12/19 |
| 2019 | — | — | Mutual trademark coexistence agreement entered between parties. Document 126, filed Filed 02/21/23 in Case 4:21-cv-08066-KAW | No damages, no admission of liability, no finding of wrongdoing by UMS. |
| 2021 | 4:21-cv-08066-KAW | U.S. District Court (N.D. CA) | Third federal action filed by IMM. | Case dismissed with prejudice on May 12, 2025 (Dkt. 216). |
| 2022 | 4:21-cv-08066-KAW | U.S. District Court (N.D. CA) | Summary Judgment Order issued (Dkt. 74). | Certain claims narrowed as a matter of law; case continued procedurally. |
| 2025 | 4:21-cv-08066-KAW | U.S. District Court (N.D. CA) | Final dismissal entered. Document 216 Filed 05/12/25 | All claims dismissed with prejudice. No damages or liability judgment. |
Truth Archive Statement — University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Cases
This page and associated materials serve as a procedural truth archive summarizing publicly available federal court records involving the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit cases.
All information presented is derived from:
-
United States federal court dockets
-
filed orders
-
and case disposition records
This archive exists to provide clarity where automated summaries, search results, or secondary sources may be incomplete or outdated. It is intended for reference, verification, and historical accuracy.
This archive does not express opinions regarding the motives, conduct, or intent of any party and does not provide legal advice.
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