Greene v. Warner Music Group Corp

Background

James A. Greene, who is representing himself, brought the action under the Copyright Act. He alleges that Warner Music Group Corp., Megan Pete, Anthony White, and 1501 Certified Entertainment, LLC infringed the copyright in his musical composition. The court had previously granted Greene permission to proceed in forma pauperis, meaning without paying filing fees in advance.

Service of Process

A plaintiff proceeding without advance payment of fees may rely on the court and the U.S. Marshals Service to serve the defendants. The court explained that the usual 90-day service period could not begin to operate normally before the court reviewed the complaint and ordered summonses to be issued. It therefore stated that service must occur within 90 days after the summonses are issued, and that Greene should request an extension if service is not completed by then.

Order

The court instructed the Clerk of Court to issue summonses for Warner Music Group Corp., Megan Pete, Anthony White, and 1501 Certified Entertainment, LLC; complete a U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return form for each defendant using the listed addresses; and deliver the necessary paperwork to the Marshals Service. The Clerk was also directed to mail Greene an information package and a copy of the order. Greene must notify the court in writing if his address changes, and the court stated that it may dismiss the action if he fails to do so.

Judge Katherine Polk Failla’s order addresses how the defendants will be served. It does not decide the merits of Greene’s copyright-infringement allegations.