Global Media Network v. Pandora

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 payment of $405: a $350 filing fee and a $55 administrative fee. A person may instead request permission to proceed without prepaying fees by submitting a signed application. The court explained, however, that only a natural person may use that procedure. Global Media Network, which the court characterized as an artificial entity, could not proceed without prepaying the fees.

The court's footnote also states that corporations cannot proceed without counsel and warns that William Scales, described as a non-attorney, may be barred from bringing suits on behalf of artificial entities. The opinion does not impose that bar in this order.

Order

The court directed the plaintiffs to pay $405 within 30 days. It stated that no further action would be taken, no summons would issue, and Pandora would not be required to answer until the fees were paid. If the plaintiffs had already made proper payment before receiving the order, the case would proceed after the payment was processed.

If the plaintiffs fail to comply within the allowed time, the action will be dismissed without prejudice. The court noted that even payment would not prevent a possible dismissal because Global Media Network cannot proceed without counsel.

Appeal-fee ruling

The court certified under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that an appeal from the order would not be taken in good faith and denied permission to appeal without prepaying fees.

Disposition

This is a procedural order directing payment of filing fees. It does not decide the underlying claims against Pandora.