What Is the University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit?
The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit is a federal breach-of-contract case in which International Metaphysical Ministry sued Wisdom of the Heart Church over a 2019 settlement agreement. Wisdom of the Heart Church does business as the University of Metaphysical Sciences (UMS), an online metaphysics school in Arcata, California.
The case is International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. v. Wisdom of the Heart Church, No. 4:21-cv-08066-KAW, in the Northern District of California. International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM) runs the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona from Sedona, Arizona.
It is a dispute between two competing schools, not a student lawsuit. The docket lists only the two organizations as parties, with no class of students and no multidistrict litigation.
“This is a civil action for Breach of Contract arising from a Settlement Agreement reached in International Metaphysical Ministry v. Wisdom of the Heart Church, Northern District of California No. 4:18-CV-04524-SBA, after a June 10, 2019 settlement conference before the Court’s alternative dispute resolution committee, and memorialized in an August 9, 2019 Settlement Agreement, the relevant portions of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 1.”
Source: Verified Complaint, International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. v. Wisdom of the Heart Church, No. 4:21-cv-08066 (N.D. Cal. filed Oct. 14, 2021), Dkt. No. 1, paragraph 4
Why Was the University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Filed?
The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit was filed because IMM alleged that UMS broke two promises in their August 2019 settlement agreement.
The first promise was a mutual non-disparagement clause. The second barred each school from using the other's registered marks in advertising. IMM said UMS breached both and filed a verified complaint on October 14, 2021.
The agreement ended an earlier trademark case that IMM brought against UMS. It was confidential, so only excerpts reached the public docket.
IMM asked for an injunction, money damages, and attorneys' fees. Its complaint put damages above $75,000, to be set at trial. UMS contested the claims, and no court found any breach proven.
What Harms Does the University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Allege?
The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit alleges three distinct kinds of harm to IMM: disparagement, fake online reviews, and use of IMM's marks in advertising. Each is defined below in plain language, followed by what IMM's complaint alleges. UMS contested the claims and filed counterclaims, and no court or jury found any of the allegations proven.
Disparagement
Disparagement, in a contract dispute, means a statement that belittles another party or injures its reputation or business, which a non-disparagement clause forbids.
IMM alleges that UMS posted a page on its main website on February 7, 2020 that named IMM and criticized its curriculum, costs, teaching methods, and guidance for graduates. IMM says it learned of the page in August 2020 and sent a dispute notice within a month.
IMM also alleges the page confused prospective students. One student reportedly asked why IMM was "not accredited" like UMS. IMM called that false, because no federally recognized accrediting agency covers metaphysics degrees from either school.
The court's September 9, 2022 order found IMM had not explained which statements were disparaging or why. It denied IMM summary judgment on this claim.
Fake Online Reviews
A fake online review is a review written by someone who is not a genuine customer, usually to promote one business or harm another.
IMM alleges it began receiving anonymous online reviews that repeated the same criticisms, in the same order, as the UMS webpage. It says either UMS or someone connected to UMS posted them, or readers of the page repeated it.
The complaint lists false reviews among three alleged breaches, alongside the webpage and the advertising. The orders reviewed for this page do not decide who wrote any review.
Use of Registered Marks in Advertising
Using a registered mark in advertising means placing a protected name in ad text or as a paid search keyword, which a trademark owner can restrict by contract.
IMM alleges that UMS ran Google ads that used "University of Metaphysics," "University of Sedona," "International Metaphysical Ministry," and abbreviations of those names. The settlement agreement barred each school from using the other's registered marks, according to the complaint.
The court's September 9, 2022 order held that the clause covers only registered marks. It found three of the four named marks were unregistered or had void registrations. Only "International Metaphysical Ministry" remained in play, for use before its April 2021 cancellation.
The record showed a request to add that term to UMS's ads on October 5, 2020. The court noted there was no evidence the request was carried out.
What Is the Current Status of the University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit?
The current status of the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit is closed. The court terminated the case on May 12, 2025, after the parties filed a stipulation dismissing it with prejudice.
A dismissal with prejudice generally bars the same claims from being filed again between the same parties. Only a court can confirm how that applies to a future dispute.
International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. v. Wisdom of the Heart Church
IMM, represented by Christopher Goodman and Eric Hull, sued UMS in the federal court in Oakland, California. Peter Veregge first represented UMS, and Valerie Horn took over in March 2022. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore presided.
| Court | U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (Oakland) |
| Case Number | 4:21-cv-08066-KAW |
| Judge | Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore |
| Filed | October 14, 2021 |
| Terminated | May 12, 2025 |
| Plaintiff | International Metaphysical Ministry, Inc. (IMM) |
| Defendant | Wisdom of the Heart Church, d/b/a University of Metaphysical Sciences (UMS) |
| Nature of Suit | Contract: Other (diversity jurisdiction) |
| Claims Pleaded | Breach of contract (non-disparagement), implied covenant of good faith, breach of contract (advertising terms), injunctive relief |
| Jury Demand | Both sides |
| Outcome | Stipulated dismissal with prejudice; no payment to or by either party, per the filed stipulation |
IMM pleaded diversity jurisdiction, and UMS later challenged it. UMS argued that IMM was a California citizen, which would defeat diversity. A first motion on that ground was granted in part and denied in part on May 3, 2024, and IMM filed an amended complaint on May 13, 2024. On August 16, 2024, the court denied a second motion to dismiss on the same ground.
How Did the University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit End?
The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit ended by joint stipulation of dismissal with prejudice, not by a verdict, and the filed stipulation states that no payment shall be made to or by either party.
The stipulation also says each party bears its own attorneys' fees and costs. A dismissal by agreement does not decide who was right. No court found UMS liable for breach, and no court found IMM's claims meritless.
IMM's complaint asked for damages above $75,000, to be set at trial, plus attorneys' fees. The docket reviewed for this page shows no judgment, damages award, or fee award.
Pages published by people connected to UMS describe the result as a win for UMS. Those pages come from an interested party, so this page relies on the court docket instead.
University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Updates and Case Status
The latest University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit updates show a closed case. The court terminated it on May 12, 2025, after a stipulated dismissal with prejudice. The timeline below lists each verified docket event, newest first, back to the 2017 trademark case.
University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Timeline
Court Discharges the Order to Show Cause
Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore discharged her May 8 order to show cause in the IMM v. Wisdom of the Heart Church case, one day after the parties stipulated to dismissal.
Parties Stipulate to Dismissal With Prejudice and the Case Closes
IMM and Wisdom of the Heart Church, doing business as UMS, filed a stipulation dismissing the case and all counterclaims with prejudice. The court terminated No. 4:21-cv-08066 the same day. Each party bears its own fees and costs, and no payment shall be made to or by either party.
Court Orders the Parties to Show Cause Over Chambers Copies
Judge Westmore ordered IMM and UMS to explain by May 12 why they should not be jointly sanctioned $500 for failing to lodge chambers copies of pretrial filings. The order followed a May 7 order that had already demanded the copies.
Parties File Joint Jury Instructions Ahead of Trial
IMM filed both stipulated and disputed jury instructions on behalf of the parties in the UMS case, which signaled that a jury trial was approaching.
Court Resets the Pretrial Conference to May 28, 2025
Judge Westmore reset the pretrial conference in the IMM v. Wisdom of the Heart Church case to May 28, 2025 and issued updated instructions for pretrial filings.
Court Sets Pretrial Conference After Trial-Setting Hearing
At a further case management conference held by Zoom, Judge Westmore set a final pretrial conference for June 4, 2025 in the UMS case.
Court Denies UMS's Second Jurisdiction Motion
Judge Westmore denied the motion by Wisdom of the Heart Church to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The motion argued that IMM was a California citizen. The court ordered the parties to propose trial dates.
Court Declines to Act on IMM's Notice About UMS Statements
Judge Westmore refused to take action on a July 22, 2024 notice in which IMM complained about public statements by UMS on the litigation. The court said a party seeking relief must file a motion supported by legal authority.
IMM Files an Amended Complaint
IMM filed an amended complaint against Wisdom of the Heart Church. The filing came ten days after the court partly granted a motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.
Court Denies Both Sides' Summary Judgment Motions
Judge Westmore denied IMM's and UMS's motions for summary judgment in No. 4:21-cv-08066, leaving the contract claims for trial. An April 20, 2023 order had earlier vacated the pretrial and trial dates to set that briefing.
Second Day of Settlement Talks Ends Without a Deal
Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim held a counsel-only settlement session in the IMM and UMS dispute, one day after a 7-hour, 35-minute conference. The minute entries record that the case did not settle on either day.
Court Rules on Motions in Limine and Exhibit List Amendment
After a December 14, 2022 pretrial conference, Judge Westmore issued an order on the parties' motions in limine and a motion to amend an exhibit list in the UMS case.
Court Narrows the Advertising Claim in a Summary Judgment Order
Judge Westmore denied IMM's partial summary judgment motion and granted UMS's motion in part. Three marks, "University of Metaphysics," "University of Sedona," and "Theocentric Psychology," fell outside the advertising clause. The claim survived only for "International Metaphysical Ministry." The court urged the parties to resume settlement talks.
Settlement Conference Held Before Magistrate Judge Hixson
Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson held a two-hour, 15-minute settlement conference by Zoom for IMM and Wisdom of the Heart Church, and the case continued toward summary judgment briefing.
Court Denies IMM's Request for a Preliminary Injunction
Judge Westmore denied IMM's motion for a preliminary injunction against UMS. A later order said IMM had not addressed its likelihood of success on the disparagement claim.
UMS Answers the Complaint and Files Counterclaims
Wisdom of the Heart Church filed its answer to IMM's complaint with a jury demand and counterclaims, and it filed an amended counterclaim on December 10, 2021.
IMM Files a Four-Count Verified Complaint Against UMS
IMM sued Wisdom of the Heart Church, d/b/a the University of Metaphysical Sciences. The four counts alleged breach of the non-disparagement clause, breach of the implied covenant, breach of the advertising terms, and a request for injunctive relief. The complaint sought damages above $75,000 and attorneys' fees under Section 10.8 of the settlement agreement.
IMM Alleges UMS Posts a Page Referring to IMM
According to IMM's complaint, UMS posted a page on metaphysicsuniversity.com on this date that named IMM and compared the two schools. IMM says it learned of the page in August 2020 and sent a dispute notice about a month later.
IMM and UMS Sign the Settlement Agreement
IMM and Wisdom of the Heart Church signed a confidential settlement agreement that ended IMM's trademark case. It contained a mutual non-disparagement clause and a clause barring use of each other's registered marks in advertising.
Settlement Conference Held in the Earlier Trademark Case
IMM and UMS representatives appeared with counsel at a settlement conference in San Francisco before Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero and reached terms that the parties memorialized in August 2019.
IMM Files the First Trademark Action Against UMS in Arizona
IMM and the Paul Leon Masters Revocable Living Trust sued Wisdom of the Heart Church in the District of Arizona. The suit alleged trademark infringement and unfair competition. The case moved to the Northern District of California in 2018.
How Did the University of Metaphysical Sciences Respond to the Lawsuit?
The University of Metaphysical Sciences answered the lawsuit on November 22, 2021 and filed counterclaims against IMM. UMS amended those counterclaims on December 10, 2021.
The counterclaims argued that IMM skipped the pre-suit notice the settlement agreement required. UMS also accused IMM of using UMS's name in its own advertising, and it pleaded equitable estoppel and unclean hands.
In September 2022, the court found a factual dispute over whether notice would have been futile. It said a jury could find the webpage was not disparaging. The court also noted that UMS asked IMM whether its page edits were acceptable and got no reply.
UMS relied on an expert, Bill Hartzer, who described how Google keyword suggestions can be manipulated. The court declined to strike his declaration.
No court ruling decided whether UMS breached the non-disparagement clause or whether IMM breached the notice provision. Both sides' summary judgment motions were denied on August 15, 2023, and the case closed before trial.
How Does the University of Metaphysical Sciences Lawsuit Compare to the Earlier IMM Cases?
The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit is the second federal case between IMM and UMS and the first to enforce the 2019 settlement agreement. The earlier action began in Arizona in 2017 and moved to California.
That earlier case alleged trademark infringement, unfair competition, and misuse of IMM's marks as advertising keywords, according to IMM's 2021 complaint. The Paul Leon Masters Revocable Living Trust joined IMM as a plaintiff there.
Readers should also separate UMS from similarly named schools. IMM operates the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona. UMS is a separate school in Arcata, California.
| Case | Court and number | Type of case | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMM v. Wisdom of the Heart Church (2017 action) | D. Ariz. No. 3:17-cv-08280, then N.D. Cal. No. 4:18-cv-04524 | Trademark infringement and unfair competition | Settlement agreement signed August 2019 |
| IMM v. Wisdom of the Heart Church (this page) | N.D. Cal. No. 4:21-cv-08066-KAW | Breach of the 2019 settlement agreement | Dismissed with prejudice May 12, 2025 |
| IMM v. Wisdom of the Heart Church (companion docket) | N.D. Cal. No. 3:21-cv-08064 | Same parties, filed October 14, 2021 | Not confirmed, no termination date listed on CourtListener |
Several low-quality websites describe a student class action or an accreditation fraud suit against UMS. No such docket appeared in the CourtListener search reviewed for this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit about?
The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit is a contract case in which IMM accused UMS of breaching a 2019 settlement agreement. The alleged breaches were a disparaging webpage, fake online reviews, and use of IMM's marks in advertising.
Is the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit a class action?
No. The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit is a two-party federal case between IMM and Wisdom of the Heart Church. It has no class of students and is not multidistrict litigation.
Is the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit still active?
No. The University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit closed on May 12, 2025, when the court terminated the case after the parties stipulated to dismissal with prejudice.
Did anyone pay money in the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit?
No money was paid in the University of Metaphysical Sciences lawsuit, according to the filed stipulation, which says no payment shall be made to or by either party. Each side bore its own fees and costs.
Was the University of Metaphysical Sciences found liable in the lawsuit?
No. No court found the University of Metaphysical Sciences liable in the lawsuit, because the case ended by stipulated dismissal before trial. In September 2022, the court did rule that three of the four named marks fell outside the advertising clause.
Is the University of Metaphysical Sciences accredited?
The lawsuit did not decide whether the University of Metaphysical Sciences is accredited. IMM's complaint says no federally recognized accrediting agency covers metaphysics degrees from either school.
Is the University of Metaphysical Sciences the same as the University of Metaphysics?
No. The University of Metaphysical Sciences is a separate school in Arcata, California, while IMM operates the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona from Sedona, Arizona.