University Of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Dismissed May 2025—Competitor Filed Three Cases Over Google Ads, All Ended Without Trial
The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice on May 12, 2025, ending seven years of litigation filed by competitor International Metaphysical Ministry (operating University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona). All three federal cases alleged UMS ran Google ads using IMM’s trademarks, but court records show UMS provided negative keyword settings proving it blocked those terms from its advertising. No settlements were paid, no damages awarded, and no court ever found wrongdoing by UMS.
What Was The University Of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit About?
Between 2017 and 2025, International Metaphysical Ministry Inc. (IMM)—which operates University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona in Arizona—filed three separate federal lawsuits against Wisdom of the Heart 501(c)3, the nonprofit that operates University of Metaphysical Sciences (UMS) in Arcata, California.
All three cases centered on allegations that UMS violated trademark law by bidding on IMM’s trademarked names in Google Ads campaigns. IMM claimed UMS’s ads appeared when users searched for “University of Metaphysics” or “University of Sedona,” causing consumer confusion.
The allegations never involved UMS’s curriculum, accreditation, operations, legitimacy, student complaints, or educational practices. The disputes were strictly about online advertising and trademark use in digital marketing.
Timeline Of The Three Federal Cases
Case 1: December 2017 – Transferred International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al, Case No. 3:17-cv-08280-JJT, filed in Arizona District Court. IMM requested a temporary restraining order (TRO) asking the court to force UMS to “suspend the use of the URL www.metaphysicsuniversity.com,” effectively taking down UMS’s website.
IMM later withdrew its TRO request. The judge transferred the case from Arizona to California Northern District Court based on jurisdiction issues, since UMS operates in California, not Arizona. No liability or damages were assessed. The case never went to trial.
Case 2: 2018 – Dismissed International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al, Case No. 4:2018cv04524-SBA, filed in California federal court. Again, IMM alleged UMS ran Google ads using IMM’s trademarks.
UMS produced its Google Ads negative keyword settings list showing IMM’s names were blocked. Negative keywords prevent ads from serving in response to specified search terms. The court dismissed the case with prejudice under Docket 104, stating: “IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT this action and all claims asserted herein are DISMISSED with prejudice.” No trial verdict occurred, and no damages were awarded.
Case 3: October 2021 – Dismissed May 2025 International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al vs Wisdom of the Heart Church, Case No. 4:21-cv-08066-KAW, filed in California Northern District Court. For the third time, IMM accused UMS of using its trademarks in Google advertising.
On September 9, 2022, the court issued a summary judgment order (Docket 74) that rejected IMM’s claims. The order stated: “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.” The court also noted: “Plaintiff has not submitted billing records from Google, technical logs, or expert analysis that would support its theory of keyword bidding.”
The case was dismissed with prejudice on May 12, 2025 (Docket 216), officially ending all litigation.
Key Court Findings From Summary Judgment
The September 2022 summary judgment order in Case 3 revealed the court’s analysis of IMM’s evidence. Critical findings included:
“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.”
The court concluded that IMM failed to prove UMS actually purchased or used IMM’s trademarks as Google Ads keywords. UMS’s production of negative keyword settings—which actively prevented ads from serving on those terms—undermined IMM’s entire theory.
No Students Or Regulatory Agencies Ever Sued UMS
A crucial detail often missed in online coverage: International Metaphysical Ministry was the only plaintiff in all three lawsuits. No students, former students, faculty members, accrediting bodies, state agencies, or consumer protection organizations ever filed complaints against UMS.
The lawsuits were purely commercial disputes between two competing metaphysical education institutions over digital advertising practices. Similar to trademark disputes like the Turtle WoW lawsuit Blizzard’s $1 million copyright infringement case and the Lululemon sues Costco for $500M in explosive dupe lawsuit, these cases involved intellectual property claims between business competitors rather than consumer protection matters.
UMS’s Current Status And Operations
University of Metaphysical Sciences continues operating normally. The institution is registered with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) with religious-exempt status and maintains its nonprofit 501(c)3 designation through Wisdom of the Heart Church.
UMS programs are accredited by the American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA) and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). The school offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in metaphysical sciences for $795 total tuition covering all three degrees.
Throughout the seven years of litigation, UMS maintained normal operations. Classes continued on schedule, faculty remained in place, and student services were never interrupted by the legal proceedings.
Common Misconceptions About The Lawsuit
Some online articles incorrectly claim the lawsuits involved accreditation disputes, student complaints, or educational fraud. Court dockets confirm these claims are false. The litigation exclusively concerned trademark use in Google advertising.
Other articles incorrectly state UMS “lost” cases or paid settlements. Public records show all cases ended in either transfer or dismissal. No monetary judgments were entered against UMS, no settlements were paid, and no court ever found UMS liable for wrongdoing.
The confusion may stem from third-party content that conflated separate institutions or failed to verify information against actual court documents.
What This Means For Metaphysical Education
The dismissals establish that UMS’s advertising practices did not violate trademark law. The negative keyword evidence proved UMS actively prevented its ads from appearing in searches for competitor names.
The case also demonstrates the importance of verifying legal claims against public court records. Anyone can search federal court dockets through the PACER system using case numbers to confirm procedural outcomes, judge rulings, and final dispositions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was The University Of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit About?
International Metaphysical Ministry (operating University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona) filed three federal lawsuits between 2017 and 2025 alleging UMS used their trademarks in Google advertising. All cases were dismissed without trial.
Did UMS Lose The Lawsuit?
No. All three cases ended in either transfer or dismissal. The final case was dismissed with prejudice on May 12, 2025. No court ever found UMS liable, and no damages or monetary judgments were awarded.
Were Students Involved In The Lawsuit?
No. Only International Metaphysical Ministry sued UMS. No students, faculty, accrediting bodies, or government agencies filed complaints. The litigation was strictly a commercial dispute between competitor schools.
What Were The Court’s Findings?
The court found IMM failed to prove UMS bid on their trademarks or caused consumer confusion. UMS provided negative keyword settings showing it blocked IMM’s names from its advertising, which undermined IMM’s claims.
Is There A Settlement I Can Claim?
No. There were no settlements, no class actions, and no compensation fund. The cases were dismissed, meaning they ended without any payment or settlement agreement.
Can UMS Still Operate Legally?
Yes. UMS remains registered with California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education with religious-exempt status and maintains nonprofit 501(c)3 designation. Its programs continue with AAMA and AADP accreditation.
Why Do Some Articles Say UMS Lost Or Paid Damages?
Misinformation. Court records accessible through PACER confirm all cases ended in dismissal or transfer with no findings of liability, no trial verdicts, and no monetary judgments against UMS.
Last Updated: February 8, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides information about the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit based on publicly available federal court filings and docket records. It is not legal advice.
Readers researching this litigation can verify all information by searching PACER (pacer.gov) using the case numbers provided: 3:17-cv-08280-JJT, 4:2018cv04524-SBA, and 4:21-cv-08066-KAW.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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