Indiana Bible College sues choral composer over copyright infringement claims
In a complaint filed June 2 in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, the Indianapolis-based college said statements made by Fred Bock Music Co. and choral music composer Rosephanye Powell have damaged the school's reputation and led it to lose business.
Indiana Bible College drew attention with the late April debut of 'John 1,' and a video of the song being performed by the college choir went viral.
Powell and California-based Gentry Publication maintain that 'John 1' is derivative of the classical a cappella 'The Word Was God,' a popular piece in choral circles that Powell wrote in 1996.
In late May, Powell took to social media to claim the school infringed on her copyrighted work.
Powell claimed IBC copied, altered and performed her song without permission in producing 'John 1.' This was after she and Gentry denied the college permission to use the song in 2024, she said.
Song dispute: 'No credit or consent.' Composer says Indiana Bible College stole her song for streaming
After Gentry made a copyright claim against a 'John 1' video on YouTube, the platform removed the video. IBC still has the video of the spring performance of the song on Facebook.
"John 1" debuted on Apple Music on May 2, 2025, and its sheet music was made available for sale.
'This song is undeniably a derivative of my work,' Powell, a music professor at Auburn University in Alabama, said in a May 23 Facebook post, adding that the Indiana choir made minor alterations to notes, rests and rhythms to "The Word Was God."
Fred Block Music Co. owns Gentry Publication, the publisher of 'The Word Was God,' which is based on the first chapter of the Gospel of John in the Bible.
Indiana Bible College in its lawsuit says 'John 1' is an original composition and does not infringe on 'any protectable elements' of "The Word Was God," and that it owns the music in the new song, with the 'significant musical elements … independently composed in the summer of 2024.'
The college claims Powell and Gentry 'published and amplified false statements across Dr. Powell's and Fred Bock's social-media channels,' 'encouraged others to renounce John 1 and IBC,' and 'used IndyStar to publish an article accusing IBC and its writers of unauthorized derivative, copyright infringement, and intellectual dishonesty.'
College leaders did not respond to IndyStar's request for comment prior to publication of a May 30 story detailing Powell's concerns over "John 1."
Indiana Bible College said the statements made by Powell and Gentry hurt its reputation, resulted in loss of prospective contracts, and led to those listed as writers and composers garnering hostility.
The defendants influenced third parties from doing business with the school, which had prospective business relationships with students, composers, worship communities, venues, and publishers for the use of 'John 1' and other compositions, the lawsuit states.
IndyStar left messages with the college and its lawyer for comment on the lawsuit, but had not heard back by the time of publication.
The college's filing also lists unidentified defendants who have 'published or republished defamatory statements or induced business interference.'
'Third parties have viewed, shared, or reposted Defendants' statements, further damaging Plaintiff's business and personal reputations,' and the defendants are inducing venues, publishers, and worship communities to cease using or promoting 'John 1,' the complaint says.
Powell has seen a lot of support from the choral music community on social media, including statements from state choral associations and businesses. She is the 2025 recipient of the American Choral Directors Association's prestigious Raymond Brock Memorial Commission.
J. W. Pepper, the world's largest sheet music retailer on May 28 posted to its Facebook page, 'We stand with Rosephanye Powell. As a champion of original music, we support the artists whose work we distribute,' the company posted on May 28. ' We applaud Dr. Powell's courage in speaking out to defend her intellectual property. Creative work is not only labor — it's legacy.'
Indiana Bible College is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and asking the court to declare 'John 1' does not infringe on and is not derivative of 'The Word Was God.'
The school also wants the court to order Powell and her publisher not to make defamatory statements, remove defamatory statements from websites and social media and issue public retractions.
It requests a trial by jury.
Both Powell and Gentry Publication said they are standing by their claims that 'John 1' was derived from 'The Word Was God.'
'In the strongest terms we disagree with all of their allegations and will continue to defend Dr. Powell's work and reputation as well as our copyright ownership in 'The Word Was God,' Gentry Publication said in a statement provided to IndyStar June 4.
Powell said she has no plans to back off of claims that the bible college used "The Word Was God" to create "John 1."
'You're going to tell me to be quiet because you're losing money over something based on my work?' she said. 'We're speaking truth. ... They want this to go away.'
'They've got the wrong one."
Indiana Bible College, headed by Rev. Joshua Carson, is affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International.
Founded in 1981 and currently located at 1502 E. Sumner Ave., the school posted to its social media accounts on May 25 that it was working on clearing up the matter in private.
'The release of the choral arrangement 'John 1' has been met with claims of copyright infringement," it said. "Establishing whether copyright infringement has occurred is extraordinarily fact sensitive, and parties to copyright infringement disputes frequently genuinely disagree whether the legal standard for infringement has been met. We are actively discussing the matter privately with the only party that has a legal standing to dispute the matter.'
The school's filing follows the May 29 receipt of a letter from Gentry and Powell alleging copyright infringement and threatening a lawsuit if the college did not comply with their demands.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Bible College files defamation lawsuit against choral composer
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Critics once doubted James Cameron — but can Avatar: Fire and Ash prove them wrong again?
James Cameron's hugely successful film franchise will return with Avatar: Fire & Ash in December. Avatar will soon return with the third chapter in its epic, otherworldly story in Fire and Ash, but the jury is still out on whether it can sustain the momentum the franchise needs. The movie, which premieres in December 2025, promises to be a war movie of grand proportions thanks to its exploration of new cultures among the Na'vi and the animosity that has developed between the large blue creatures and a newly introduced clan, the Ash people. Everything is at stake in the upcoming film, not just for Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family but also for James Cameron himself. Avatar is one of the most expensive film series ever created, so the films need to make a lot at the box office to be deemed a success. So far it has done that, and more, as the original Avatar became the first film to make more than $2bn at the box office while the sequel The Way of Water beat that. But can the franchise strike gold again? There does seem to be a reason that audiences have gravitated so strongly to the Titanic director's fantastical world so far. The story is perhaps the oldest there is, the battle between good and evil. The first and second explore this through the clash between humans and Na'vi, while Fire and Ash is arguably doing the same thing, but with slightly more nuance because it's between different cultures within the alien species. It's the kind of story that audiences will always be drawn to, regardless of its simplicity, actually, perhaps because of it. It doesn't matter if they're seven-foot-tall blue people, the Na'vi are fascinating and experience the same things we do. Viewers from all walks of life can relate to and be transported by Avatar; that's the beauty of Cameron's vision for Pandora. Critics though, for better or worse, are now quite divided by the franchise — where the first was deemed a movie marvel that changed the film landscape forever, The Way of Water wasn't received as well with reviews veering wildly between 5 star and 2 stars, one reviewer even described the 2022 film a glorified "trillion-dollar screensaver". But if ever there was a time that proved that critics aren't the be-all and end-all of movie success, it was The Way of Water, because the film earned $2.32bn worldwide and became the highest-grossing film since the Covid pandemic. Why is that? Because audiences want escapism, that's the whole point of cinema; audiences want to forget their troubles and be taken far, far away for a few hours, and Avatar is the perfect movie for it, thanks to its awe-inspiring visuals and innovative use of technology. The question is, can Fire and Ash mirror the success of the first two Avatar films? If early reactions to the trailer are anything to go by, it will do that and more. In fact, even the critics are back on side ScreenRant's Liam Crowley, for example, wrote on X: "I just EXPERIENCED the #AvatarFireAndAsh trailer in glorious 3D. I'm breathless... What a privilege it is to be alive during this revolutionary franchise." While critic Austin Burke wrote on the social media platform: "There is no doubt in my mind that this WILL be the biggest movie of 2025, and epic doesn't feel like it does this trailer justice… It is truly beyond epic. THE HYPE IS REAL.' With praise like this, the buzz is going to be gaining momentum quickly for Avatar: Fire and Ash ahead of its December release. One thing is for sure, it'll mark a great end of the year for Hollywood. No one should ever count James Cameron out, really, the director always has a clear vision and he knows how to make epic films that have huge mainstream appeal, whether that be sweeping romances like Titanic or gut-punching action like The Terminator. He knows how to make a great popcorn movie, the kind that will stand the test of time and do extremely well at the box office. There's a reason he is seen as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. And the Avatar film franchise could well become his magnum opus by the time it reaches its fifth, and currently final, film in 2031. But, before that, at least, we have Fire & Ash to enjoy — long live cinema. Avatar: Fire & Ash premieres in UK cinemas on 19 December, 2025.
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
That ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps' Ending Quote Explained: Who Is Jack Kirby?
Thanks to 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' Marvel legend Jack Kirby is finally starting to get more recognition for his work. Consider it a post-credit scene if you want, consider it a tribute, but the latest MCU film ends with a quote from Jack Kirby, the co-creator and initial artist for the Fantastic Four. More from TheWrap 'Tron: Ares' Brings New Nine Inch Nails Video and Light Cycle Chases to Comic Con Larry Ellison to Hold 35.5% of Family's Voting Rights in New Paramount, National Amusements After Skydance Merger Closes Stephen King's 'The Long Walk' Gets Tense New Trailer as the Game Begins Cole Escola Joins Melissa McCarthy in Warner Bros. Animated Christmas Musical 'Margie Claus' | Video 'If you look at my characters, you will find me,' the quote at the end of the film reads. 'No matter what kind of character you create or assume, a little of yourself must remain there.' While Stan Lee was front and center for much of the early hayday of MCU movies for his creations, many of the characters getting movies about them were co-created by Kirby. Other characters the artist had a hand in co-creating include Ant-Man, The Avengers, Black Panther, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, The Silver Surfer, and The X-Men. It wasn't just the quote that gives a nod to Kirby. The Fantastic Four of the MCU are from a different, retro-futurist Earth than most of the movies in the canon. The Earth is designated Earth 828. The final tribute reveals Kirby's birth and death dates Aug. 28, 1917 to Feb. 6, 1994. 8/28 becomes Earth 828. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' is being heralded as a return to form for Marvel Studios after much of Phase 4 and 5 entries were considered rocky. TheWrap critic William Bibbiani called it a first-rate movie for Marvel's First Family. In his review he said, ''The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' whatever its drawbacks, feels like a real Fantastic Four movie, and that's no small achievement. It'll never be as important or influential as the comics but it does feel like an idyllic summer afternoon, sitting under a shady tree and thumbing through back issues of a marvelous series with endearing characters. That's more than enough. In fact, that's a heck of a lot.' The post That 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Ending Quote Explained: Who Is Jack Kirby? appeared first on TheWrap.


Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Kidnapping survivor, once dismissed as a liar, now retrains police to help victims
Denise Huskins, who was accused of lying after surviving a home invasion and kidnapping, has now found herself teaming up with law enforcement. The California woman, whose ordeal was chronicled in the Netflix true-crime docuseries "American Nightmare," is now being invited to speak with officers who are looking to change the way they are trained to interrogate suspects. The 40-year-old recently spoke out in a true crime podcast by PAVE Studios, "Clues," which is hosted by Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore. The weekly series aims to analyze some of "the world's most infamous crimes where a single clue can crack a case wide open." "This past year, as we've connected with more people in law enforcement, we've felt a new sense of hope," Huskins told Fox News Digital. "There's still resistance. There are still people within law enforcement and out there who see us in a certain way, but now we get to see the other side of it." "What's been even more encouraging is having some of those people… say, 'I'm so sorry.'" Huskins' nightmare occurred on March 23, 2015. Matthew Muller broke into Huskins' Vallejo home, where he drugged and tied her up and her then-boyfriend, Aaron Quinn. He kidnapped Huskins, brought her to a cabin in South Lake Tahoe, and sexually assaulted her. Two days later, Muller drove Huskins to Southern California and released her. The Vallejo Police initially believed the invasion and kidnapping were a hoax orchestrated by Quinn. The case was referred to by the press as the real-life "Gone Girl," referring to the hit Ben Affleck thriller and novel in which a small-town wife stages her own murder to get back at her cheating husband. According to the docuseries, Quinn endured 18 hours of questioning. After months of public scrutiny, the couple sued the Vallejo Police Department. They reached a $2.5 million settlement in 2018. Fox News Digital reached out to the Vallejo Police Department for comment. "Initially, advocacy started with self-advocacy," Huskins explained. "We needed to fight for the truth in our case. We needed to correct the narrative and have the real truth out there." Huskins noted that after the premiere of "American Nightmare," members of law enforcement began reaching out. Huskins admitted to feeling surprised, but felt it would also be the perfect time to turn personal pain into purpose. She said among those who connected with her was the chief of police in Seaside, California, who asked her to host a talk. "I have been closely following the case of Denise and Aaron from the very start," Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges told Fox News Digital. "Although I was not involved in the investigation, I always had faith in their truth. When Lt. Misty Carausu from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office finally brought the case to light in 2015, it became clear how many errors had occurred. I felt a strong desire for my department to learn from these missteps to improve our future investigations and interactions." "After watching the Netflix docuseries, I reached out to Denise and Aaron, surprised that they were willing to engage with law enforcement after everything they had faced," he shared. "They agreed to share their story at a Seaside event, and hearing it firsthand was an incredibly moving experience." "I have learned many lessons from them since working with them since 2024," Borges continued. "The most significant lesson I took away from them is that collaborating with victims can greatly enhance our ability to solve crimes. We must listen. "Thanks to their courage, their perpetrator has received four new life sentences, providing answers to victims who might have otherwise remained in the dark. Denise and Aaron have not only improved my understanding but have also made my department and many others in law enforcement more effective." "In the end, they are the true heroes," he added. Huskins described her experience of meeting officers who wanted to improve their tactics "a blessing." "Before, no one in law enforcement invited us to speak," she said. "Now they are. And we've met a lot of amazing people in law enforcement who've been doing tireless work for decades, trying to make changes. It's nice to finally feel we're a part of that. And we, for the last decade, wanted to work with law enforcement. We didn't see them as opposing sides. We all just needed to work together to make these changes happen." "It's been incredibly validating to feel seen, heard and respected in a way that we have never experienced before with law enforcement," Huskins shared. "It has helped us regain some hope." During her talks, Huskins has been teaching investigators about "science-based interviewing," which relies on evidence during interviews with victims and suspects. "A lot of what science-based interviewing is doing is telling [investigators] to treat people with respect and decency, whether it's a suspect or a victim," said Huskins. "It allows someone to open up. It allows you to connect with them, understand their background, all while having a conversation with the suspect. But also, it's about having someone else observe that conversation and try to back it up with facts and evidence, not having the primary goal be a confession." GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "A lot of times, I think the draw is to get that confession, because people know that confessions get convictions," she noted. "But also, people falsely confess. It's a serious problem, because not only are you ruining that person's life, but you are emboldening the perpetrator to attack again." On June 5, 2015, another couple woke in the middle of the night to a near-identical home invasion. After reaching out to police departments in the Bay Area, Misty Carausu, then a rookie detective, learned that Muller had been a suspect in a 2009 Palo Alto home invasion. Also at the scene were a pair of swimming goggles blacked out with duct tape that had blonde hair attached. While the wife hid in a bathroom and called police, her husband managed to fight off the attacker. But he left crucial evidence behind: zip-ties, duct tape, a glove and a cellphone. Carausu traced the phone to Muller's stepfather. She learned that Muller was a Harvard-educated immigration attorney and Marine veteran. Carausu contacted the FBI, and Muller was arrested. Evidence in his home, including Quinn's laptop, linked him to Huskins' kidnapping. He pleaded guilty to one count of federal kidnapping in September 2016 and was sentenced to 40 years behind bars. Muller also faced state charges for burglary, robbery, kidnapping and two counts of rape. According to the documentary, Muller was deemed incompetent to stand trial for those charges in 2020. He allegedly suffered from "Gulf War illness" after his military service, and his attorney claimed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Muller was then sentenced in 2022 to 31 years in state prison after pleading no contest to two counts of forcible rape of Huskins. Huskins admitted it took time for her and Quinn, now her husband, to begin trusting police again after being accused of orchestrating a hoax. For years, the sound of a police siren left her feeling "terrified." "I think our whole worldview was just shattered," she reflected. "It was more victimizing, more traumatic, to be received and treated that way than the crime itself… We all know that there are bad people out there… But you grow up with the belief that if you call 911, if you go to police, they'll be helpful. And in our case, they made things worse. And what do you do if something happens? Who do you turn to for help?" "It's really a hopeless place," she added. Today, Quinn and Huskins hope to continue making a difference for victims. "When people message me, it's fuel," she said. "This is something we need to keep fighting for… A big piece of all of this, I think, for a lot of sexual assault survivors, but probably most victims and survivors of a violent crime, is that you lose your sense of self and identity. And then to be publicly shamed and have the world call you [names], you can get lost in self-blame and self-doubt." "Who I really am – the core of my being, my values, my worth – I wasn't going to let anyone dictate that," she added.