Indiana Bible College Faces Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over "John 1" Composition
Indiana Bible College (IBC) is embroiled in a legal battle over its choral arrangement titled "John 1." The college has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Fred Bock Music Company, Dr. Rosephanye Powell, and potentially numerous unnamed individuals or entities, alleging defamation and seeking a declaration that their composition does not infringe on any copyrights. This legal action comes after Dr. Powell and Gentry Publication accused IBC of copyright infringement, claiming that "John 1" is a derivative work of Powell's copyrighted piece, "The Word Was God."
Background of the Dispute
The controversy began with the debut of "John 1" in late April, accompanied by a viral video of the college choir performing the piece. Following this, Dr. Powell, a respected composer of choral music, publicly claimed that IBC had infringed on her copyrighted work, "The Word Was God," a popular a cappella piece based on the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Powell asserted that IBC copied, altered, and performed her song without permission, despite her and Gentry denying the college permission to use the song earlier in 2024. Gentry Publication, which owns the copyright to "The Word Was God," filed a copyright claim against a "John 1" video on YouTube, leading to its removal from the platform.
Indiana Bible College's Claims
In response, Indiana Bible College initiated a lawsuit, asserting that "John 1" is an original composition and does not infringe on any protectable elements of "The Word Was God." The college maintains that it owns the music in the new song, with the "significant musical elements … independently composed in the summer of 2024.” IBC alleges that Powell and Gentry engaged in a campaign of defamation by publishing false statements across social media channels, encouraging others to renounce "John 1" and IBC, and using IndyStar to publish an article accusing IBC and its writers of unauthorized derivative, copyright infringement, and intellectual dishonesty.
The college claims that these actions have damaged its reputation, resulted in loss of prospective contracts, and led to those listed as writers and composers garnering hostility. IBC further alleges that the defendants influenced third parties from doing business with the school, disrupting prospective business relationships with students, composers, worship communities, venues, and publishers for the use of “John 1” and other compositions. The lawsuit also targets unidentified defendants who have “published or republished defamatory statements or induced business interference.”
Relief Sought by Indiana Bible College
Indiana Bible College is seeking several forms of relief from the court. First, it is asking the court to declare that “John 1” does not infringe any copyrights. Second, it is seeking financial damages for defamation and for the disruption to its business relationships. Third, it wants the defendants to stop making public statements about the dispute. Furthermore, the college is asking the court to order the removal of the alleged defamatory content from the internet and to require the defendants to issue a formal retraction and apology.
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Rosephanye Powell's Defense
Dr. Rosephanye Powell has stood by her claims of copyright infringement and has received considerable support from the choral music community. She asserts that IBC used "The Word Was God" to create "John 1" without permission. Powell has stated that she has no plans to back off of claims that the bible college used "The Word Was God" to create "John 1." She views the lawsuit as an attempt to silence her and suppress the truth.
Support for Powell
Powell has garnered significant support from the choral music community, including statements from state choral associations and businesses. J.W. Pepper, a major distributor of choral music, expressed support for Powell, stating, “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. 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.
Paul Laprade, instructor of choral literature at Concordia University Chicago, expressed outrage at the treatment of Powell and her work, stating, “I rarely express outrage, but this treatment of a wonderful composer and of her work is unacceptable,” wrote Paul Laprade, instructor of choral literature at Concordia University Chicago.“I conducted this work shortly after its publication and cannot avoid hearing much of its content, style, and even some of its spirit when I hear IBC’s inferior ‘adaptation’.”“That it is a continuation of appropriation, theft, and done by a religious institution leaves me speechless--we can all be better than this,” he continued. “Dr. Rosephanye Powell deserves our support: this is a hill to die on.”
About Indiana Bible College
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.
Legal Proceedings
The case has been assigned to Judge Matthew P. Brookman and Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore in the U.S. District Court of Southern Indiana (Case No. details to be added). As the legal proceedings unfold, the court will need to determine whether "John 1" infringes on the copyright of "The Word Was God." The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the field of choral music and the rights of composers and publishers.
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Potential Implications
This lawsuit raises important questions about originality, derivative works, and the fair use doctrine in copyright law. The court's decision could set a precedent for future cases involving musical compositions and the extent to which one work can draw upon another without infringing on copyright. The case also highlights the role of social media in shaping public opinion and the potential for online statements to cause reputational damage.
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