Global Media Network v. Amazon Music

Background

Global Media Network and William Scales filed this action without counsel and did not submit the required filing fees. The court stated that filing a civil action requires either paying $405—$350 for the filing fee and $55 for the administrative fee—or receiving permission to proceed without paying fees in advance by submitting a signed application.

The court explained that only a natural person may proceed without paying fees in advance. Global Media Network is an artificial entity and therefore cannot use that procedure. The opinion also states that a corporation cannot proceed without counsel and warns that Scales may be barred from bringing suits on behalf of an artificial entity without the court’s permission.

Order

The court ordered the plaintiffs to pay $405 within 30 days of the order. No further action will be taken, no summons will issue, and no answer will be required until the fees are paid. If the plaintiffs fail to comply, the action will be dismissed without prejudice. The opinion states that if the fees were already paid before the order was received, the action will proceed after payment is processed.

The court further noted that, even if the fees are paid, Global Media Network remains subject to dismissal because an artificial entity cannot proceed without counsel. The court certified that an appeal would not be taken in good faith and denied permission to appeal without paying fees in advance.

Classification and effect

This is a procedural order about filing fees, representation, and permission to proceed without paying fees in advance. It does not decide the underlying dispute between Global Media Network, William Scales, and Amazon Music.