CASE DISMISSED – May 12, 2025 – No Lawsuits. No Settlement. No Liability.

Here is the truth. The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit has been dismissed May 12, 2025. It was filed by UMS’s competitor International Metaphysical Ministry, which runs University of Sedona and University of Metaphysics. You may be finding many articles saying incorrect things about about the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit. Here you will find the actual truth.

Who Is Competitor Repeatedly Suing University of Metaphysical Sciences (Lawsuit)?

The only plaintiff ever to sue UMS is its competitor school, International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM), which operates University of Metaphysics (UOM) and University of Sedona (UOS), all located in Sedona, Arizona.

No students, faculty or any agencies have ever filed a lawsuit against UMS nor have UMS’s curriculum, accreditation, operations, or legitimacy ever been a topic in any lawsuit.

This quote is from Docket 1 of International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al, CASE #: 3:17-cv-08280-JJT, Filed 12/28/2017). This confirms who initiated the actions:

“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, Filed 12/28/2017

DISSMISSAL DOCKETS – MAY 12, 2025

(Note: “Dismissed with prejudice” means that case cannot be reopened nor sued again for these issues.) Here you can see the dismissal docket for yourself and see that there was no liability, no payout, and no fault. The court dockets do not lie. This is Docket 216 from the lawsuit named INTERNATIONAL METAPHYSICAL MINISTRY, INC. v. WISDOM OF THE HEART CHURCH- Case №4:21-cv-08066-KAW.

Every University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Transferred or Dismissed

Across three separate University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuits (2017, 2018, and 2021 which ended in 2025), all were either transferred or dismissed in every single case. None ever reached public hearings or trials. All ended in transferal or dismissal, with no judgments, no damages, and no settlements involving liability or payment.

• 2017 Case — International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al (UMS) CASE #: 3:17-cv-08280-JJT.  Dismissed upon venue transfer; IMM withdrew.
• 2018 Case — International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al, CASE #: 4:2018cv04524. Dismissed through mutual agreement.
• 2021 Case (final lawsuit, dismissed May 12, 2025) — International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al vs Wisdom of the Heart Church, CASE #: 4:2021cv08066. Dismissal on May 12, 2025, ending all legal actions.

UMS never lost a case. There are no ongoing lawsuits.
There have never been any court findings against UMS.

Case 1 – 2017 – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Transferred

Filed by: International Metaphysical Ministry doing business as University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona.

International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al, Case No. 3:17-cv-08280-JJT (filed 12/28/2017).

International Metaphysical Ministry requested that UMS’s website be taken down as part of it’s TRO request:

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.”

This case was also about Google ads, but never reached that point. IMM withdrew its TRO request and case was transferred from Arizona court to California court before any other things were argued in this case beside the TRO request. (Docket 104.)

Here are screenshots of both UMS and IMM sites, and you can see they are in no way similar:

Case 2 – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit – DISMISSED

Filed by: International Metaphysical Ministry doing business as University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona.

International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al, Case No. 4:18-cv-04524 (filed 2018).

This case was a continuation with the TRO request and Google ads were at the center of this case as well.

Both parties signed a mutual agreement to honor each other’s trademarks in 2019. No money was exchanged. No liability. No payouts. It was simply a trademark agreement which is USA law anyway. This seemed reasonable and saved money for both parties. (Docket 126-1, Case No. 3:17-cv-08280-JJT)

The matter concluded with a full dismissal with prejudice in 2019. With prejudice means IMM cannot sue UMS for the same issues again. No monetary payment was exchanged in connection with the agreement. (Docket 104)

Facts Behind 2019 Trademark Agreement – 2nd University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit – Dismissed

(Docket 126-1, Case 4:21-cv-08066-KAW)

In 2019, UMS chose to resolve a case through a simple trademark-respect agreement. This was not a settlement of wrongdoing. It was part of a mutual dismissal agreement where no one was found liable, and no money changed hands.

In the second University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit, UMS expected that by signing the agreement with International Metaphysical Ministry, which also runs University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, the competitor would honor UMS’s own federally registered trademarks as well.

With the no liability and no money exchange settlement to honor each other’s trademarks, the case was dismissed.

Case 3 – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit – DISMISSED

Once again, the plaintiff was International Metaphysical Ministry, doing business as the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona.

The third and final lawsuit was filed in late 2021 under International Metaphysical Ministry et al v. Wisdom of the Heart Church, Case №4:21-cv-08066-KAW. Dismissed.

For the third time, the case was about Google ads IMM accused UMS of running.

UMS provided its negative keywords list from its Google Ads account records which showed that IMM’s trademarks were on the list. Negative keywords prevent the terms on the list from being bid on or used in any ad.

The dismissal officially closed the final case (Docket 216). There are no pending or active lawsuits against UMS, and no damages or settlements of any kind were ever paid.

Summary Judgements From Docket 74 In Third UMS Lawsuit

• “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 in the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit. This post is not legal advice.)

What University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Reveals

We share this publicly for truth and transparency. In the metaphysical education field, clarity and integrity are essential.

UMS has operated since 2004 as a nonprofit religious school, providing spiritual education without federal student loans or corporate funding. UMS is a religious-exempt university registered with the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education in California, offering degrees for those pursuing ministry, metaphysical counseling, and spiritual teaching.

UMS’s students deserve to know that University of Metaphysical Sciences has never been found guilty of anything by any court or in any lawsuit. It is important for UMS students to know that all three cases filed by competitor International Metaphysical Ministry, doing business as University of Sedona and University of Metaphysics, were either transferred or dismissed, and no court found any misconduct by UMS in any court verdict.

Fortunately, UMS is stable financially and was able to defend itself from legal filings from the competitor. All three cases that the competitor filed have been either transferred or dismissed.

What “Dismissed With Prejudice” Really Means in Law – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit

Dismissed with prejudice means that the case cannot be filed again about the same claims. This means that International Metaphysical Ministry, doing business as University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, cannot file the same claims again against UMS.

UMS remains 100% compliant and respected within the metaphysical religious education community.

About UMS Accreditation and Legitimacy

UMS is accredited by the American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA) and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) which are two of the largest professional organizations for spiritual practitioners and organizations.

These accreditations are appropriate for religious and metaphysical schools, which operate under First Amendment protections as spiritual institutions.

UMS degrees are designed for spiritual practice and ministry, working in the spiritual market as spiritual guides, not for secular state licensing as a psychologist or social worker. UMS has always accurately represented itself as a religious school.

That’s by design. UMS is proud to maintain this distinction and help thousands of students step into their spiritual purpose.

For 21 years, UMS has stayed true to its mission, despite obstacles that would have crushed most institutions. UMS has continued to exist not through aggression but through perseverance, transparency, and grace.

UMS’s existence ensures that seekers have a choice in a metaphysical degree education, that spiritual education does not become monopolized by a single brand or ideology.

Gratitude To Our Community

To students, graduates, faculty, and supporters — thank you!

You have been the strength behind UMS through every lawsuit filed by International Metaphysical Ministry / University of Sedona / University of Metaphysics.

Thank you for your faith in University of Metaphysical Sciences and your financial support of our legal defense. We are so grateful!

What Comes Next – University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit

All legal matters are closed. There is no University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit anymore. UMS continues to thrive, teach, and grow. UMS’s focus continues on its mission which is education, healing, and awakening.

UMS is expanding its offerings globally and translating courses into multiple languages to make this wisdom accessible to everyone. Stay tuned!

For the Record

• Plaintiff: International Metaphysical Ministry (operating as University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona)
• Defendant: Wisdom of the Heart 501(c)3 (operating University of Metaphysical Sciences)
• Cases: 2017, 2018, 2021
• Outcome: All cases either transferred or dismissed, no case ever proceeded to public trial and no court verdict ever happened
• Final dismissal: May 12, 2025, dismissed with prejudice
• No hearings, no trials, no judgments, no payouts

FAKE ARTICLES About University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit

You will find hundreds of fake articles on the internet about the University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit that are absolutely false and making outlandish claims about the UMS lawsuits.

IN A NUTSHELL, THE UMS LAWSUIT WAS ABOUT THIS: Competitor International Metaphysical Ministry (running University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona) accused UMS of running Google ads using its name and pointing the ad at UMS’s site. UMS provided its negative keywords list from its Google Ads account showing that IMM’s names were on the list. A negative keyword list prevents any bids or ads containing the terms that are on the negative keyword list.

All IMM filed lawsuits against UMS were either transferred or dismissed. The third and final case was dismissed on May 12, 2025.

If you read anything different than the lawsuit being about Google Ads, it’s a fake article.

• no students or faculty ever sued UMS
• accreditation was never a claim in any lawsuit
• no agencies investigated or sued UMS
• there was no class action or multiple lawsuits (Only ONE competitor has ever been plaintiff)
• no claims about tuition fees or refunds
• no criticisms of course materials or quality of curriculum.
• no claims about validity or legitimacy of degrees (UMS degrees are legal, religious exempt)

FAQs

University of Metaphysical Sciences legal history?
Competitor International Metaphysical Ministry, which runs University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, is the only plaintiff who ever filed a case against UMS. All three competitor-filed cases (filed in 2017, 2018, and 2021), were DISMISSED. The final case was dismissed on May 12, 2025. There were no public hearings, no public trials, and no court verdicts against UMS.

UMS lawsuit facts?
All competitor-filed lawsuits against University of Metaphysical Sciences were dismissed. Competitor International Metaphysical Ministry, which runs University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, is the only plaintiff who ever filed a lawsuit against UMS. UMS never conceded liability, never paid damages, and never had a court find wrongdoing. The public dockets for the cases are available and list the plaintiff and case numbers for verification.

Is there a legal dispute involving University of Metaphysical Sciences?
All legal disputes (2017, 2018, 2021) filed by International Metaphysical Ministry, which runs competing schools University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, have been either transferred or dismissed. UMS’s competitor is the only one who has ever filed a University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit. No one else has ever sued UMS. There are no active or pending lawsuits against UMS.

Was any case ever tried in court against UMS?
No. None of the competitor-filed matters ever proceeded to a public trial. UMS’s competitor, International Metaphysical Ministry, doing business as University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, is the only party who has ever filed a lawsuit against UMS. There were no public hearings, trial, or court judgments that found UMS liable and never found UMS had done anything wrong. No payouts, no liability, and no paid settlements. All cases were dismissed.

Who filed lawsuits against UMS and what trade names do they use?
The public court records identify International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM) as the plaintiff in the competitor-filed actions. IMM operates trade names including University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona. (See Docket 1 in International Metaphysical Ministry Incorporated et al v. Schaefer et al, Case 3:17-cv-06280-JJT for the public citation.)

When was the final University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit dismissed?
The final dismissal took place on May 12, 2025, closing the last competitor-filed lawsuit against UMS. The competitor who filed the lawsuits was International Metaphysical Ministry doing business as University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona. The University of Metaphysical Sciences legal history and dismissal records are publicly available.

Is there a legal dispute involving University of Metaphysical Sciences?
All legal disputes (2017, 2018, 2021) filed by International Metaphysical Ministry, which runs competing schools University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, have been either transferred or dismissed. Only this competitor has ever filed a University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit. No one else has ever sued UMS. There are no active or pending lawsuits against UMS.

Any lawsuit that alleges misconduct by University of Metaphysical Sciences?
No. At no point did any court find misconduct by UMS. The public dockets show there were no adverse findings against UMS. UMS provided from its Google Ads records its negative keyword list settings. The negative keyword list shows that IMM’s names were on it. Negative keyword settings make it impossible to bid or run ads with the names that are on the negative keyword settings list. The case was dismissed May 12, 2025 (Docket 216, Case No.: 4:21-cv-08066-KAW).

How can I be sure the article is factual?
This article quotes public court filings and lists docket citations that readers and researchers can check. There is no speculative language and only reports on factual matters recorded in public dockets are mentioned.

Where can I verify these legal outcomes?

You can verify case names and docket entries on federal court dockets or the court’s public access system by referencing the docket citations quoted in this article. The University of Metaphysical Sciences legal history and dismissal records are publicly available.

Note: This article summarizes and contains official court dockets concerning University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit cases filed by International Metaphysical Ministry doing business as University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona. This article is not legal advice.

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