Holland v. Lions Gate Entertainment and Films

Background

Cory Holland Sr., also known as “KING,” brought claims alleging that Lionsgate Entertainment and Films and other defendants defamed him and placed him in a false light. Holland was proceeding without a lawyer. The court stated that it had subject-matter jurisdiction under the diversity-of-citizenship statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1332. On April 9, 2021, the court permitted Holland to proceed without prepaying court fees.

Service of the lawsuit

Because Holland was allowed to proceed without prepaying fees, the court explained that he could rely on the court and the U.S. Marshals Service to serve the defendants. The court extended the usual 90-day service period so that the deadline would be 90 days after summonses were issued.

The court directed the Clerk of Court to prepare a U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return form for Lionsgate, Curtis Jackson, Starz Inc., and Courtney A. Kemp. The Clerk was also directed to issue summonses and send the necessary paperwork to the Marshals Service. The opinion lists service addresses for each of those defendants.

Order and effect

The order directs the Clerk to mail Holland a copy of the order and an information package, issue the summonses, complete the service forms, and provide the documents to the Marshals Service. Holland was instructed to notify the court in writing if his address changes, and the court stated that the action could be dismissed if he fails to do so. The order addresses service of process and does not decide the merits of the defamation or false-light allegations. Judge Analisa Torres entered the order on April 29, 2021.