Global Media Network v. Tidal

Background

Global Media Network filed this action without paying the $405 filing fee required for a civil action and without submitting an application to proceed without paying the fee. On February 3, 2025, the court gave Global Media Network 30 days to pay the fee or submit the application. It did neither.

On March 20, 2025, the court dismissed the action without prejudice. The Clerk of Court entered judgment on March 21, 2025. Global Media Network later sent a letter asking the court to “reinstate [the] case.” It said that it believed it had until May 5, 2025, to file an application to proceed without paying the fee, but it did not attach that application.

Ruling

Judge Laura Taylor Swain denied Global Media Network’s request to reinstate the case. The order did not change the earlier dismissal without prejudice. The court noted that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allow a party to seek reconsideration of an order or judgment for specified reasons, including mistake, excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, misconduct, a void judgment, satisfaction of the judgment, or another reason justifying relief. The order states that a party seeking reconsideration of the dismissal must comply with Rule 60(b) and provide a reason for reconsideration.

The court also certified under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from this order would not be taken in good faith. It therefore denied permission to appeal without paying the required fees.