1See Sundance, Inc. v. Demonte Fabricating Ltd., 2006 WL 2708541 (E.D. Mich. Sept.

20, 2006). 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

SOUTHERN DIVISION

SUNDANCE, INC. and 

MERLOT TARPAULIN AND

SIDEKIT MANUFACTURING CO., INC.,

Plaintiffs,

vs. Case No. 02-73543

DEMONTE FABRICATING LTD. and HON. AVERN COHN

QUICK DRAW TARPAULIN SYSTEMS, INC.,

Defendants.

_______________________________________/

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT

AS A MATTER OF LAW REGARDING INFRINGEMENT

I. Introduction

This is a patent case tried to a jury. The plaintiffs, Sundance, Inc., Merlot

Tarpaulin and Sidekit Manufacturing Co., Inc. (collectively, Sundance) sued defendants

DeMonte Fabricating LTD and Quick Draw Tarpaulin Systems, Inc. (collectively,

DeMonte) for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,026,109 (the ‘109 patent). In April 2006,

a jury that found the ‘109 patent invalid and infringed. Sundance filed a motion for

judgment as a matter of law to set aside the jury’s finding of invalidity which the Court

granted.1

 Now before the Court is DeMonte’s motion for judgment as a matter of law to

set aside the jury’s finding of infringement. For the reasons that follow, the motion is

DENIED. The jury’s verdict stands.

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II. The Pending Motion

The essence of DeMonte’s motion is as follows:

The evidence at trial was not sufficient to support the jury’s finding of

infringement, because the accused device lacks all the components necessary to form a

“drive assembly” as required by Claim 1 of the ‘109 patent. DeMonte further argues that

Sundance’s failure to identify a drive assembly in the accused device makes it

impossible to restructure the device such that it does not infringe the ‘109 patent. 

Sundance responds that DeMonte waived the right to bring the motion because it

did not move for judgment as a matter of law at the close of the case and that the jury’s

verdict is supported by the evidence.

III. Background

A. Relevant Portions of the Patent

The ‘109 patent is for a retractable, segmented covering system that has been

adapted for practical and efficient use with truck trailers, it is described in the

ABSTRACT as follows:

The present invention provides a segmented cover

system utilizing a series of cover sections, which can be of any

size and shape, and a series of curved or straight supporting

bows to form a cover assembly which allows for the easy

replacement of a cover section or a bow without disassembling

the entire cover system. The present cover assembly

preferably utilizes a series of standard cover sections which

are detachably secured to the two adjacent supporting bows.

Preferably, the supporting bows are curved and consist of a

bow center section and two easily removable bow end

sections. The unique design, construction and interaction of

the cover sections, the bow center sections and the bow ends

enable damaged cover sections and bows to easily be

removed and replaced without disassembling or removing the

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3

cover system from its location. A drive assembly can be used

to extend and retract the segmented cover system of the

present invention. 

The BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION describes the advance in the art as

follows:

The need for reliable covering systems and particularly

a retractable covering system for truck and trailer bodies has

long been recognized where the cargo being carried is

perishable, a hazardous material, or which could be dangerous

to passing motorists such as stones, gravel, asphalt, shale, or

any other material which can become a projectile. Retractable

covering systems have the advantage that they can be

operated easily and safely from the ground by one person.

They can also be extended and retracted in very little time

thereby improving overall efficiency and reducing driver fatigue.

The issue presented in DeMonte’s motion rests on whether the accused device

has a “drive assembly” as required by the ‘109 patent. The SUMMARY OF THE

INVENTION in the ‘109 patent describes the drive assembly as follows: 

With the addition of a drive assembly and a frame, the cover

assembly can be made retractable thereby expending its

possible uses to almost any structure. For example, the

present cover system could be used as an awning over a porch

or patio, or as a cover for a swimming pool. Preferably,

however, the present invention is used as a cover system for

large vehicles such as railroad cars and truck trailer bodies. 

...

The drive assembly can be used to extend and retract the

segmented cover assembly consisting of the alternating cover

sections and supporting bows. Any number of known

mechanical or electrical drive systems can be used.

Preferably, the drive assembly comprises an endless cable and

two pulleys on each side of the cover assembly with a pulley

on each side connected together by a rod. The last supporting

bow (i.e. the one closest to the back of the frame or truck trailer

is fixedly attached at each end thereof to the cable on each

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4

side of the cover assembly so that as the cable moves it pulls

the rest of the bows due to the interconnection of the cover

sections and the bows. The drive assembly can be either

manually operated or motor driven. 

The principal claim of the ‘109 patent at issue is independent Claim 1, which reads as

follows: 

1. A retractable segmented cover system used with a truck

trailer comprising: 

a plurality of flexible cover sections with a plurality of

substantially parallel supporting bows spaced there

between and 

a drive assembly, wherein each cover section is

detachably connected between substantially parallel

supporting bows, the bows are slideably supported on the

truck trailer and at least one bow is fixedly connected to the

drive assembly such that the cover system can be extended

or retracted by the drive assembly and 

wherein a cover section can be removed from the

cover system independent of the other cover sections.

B. Claim Construction

 On November 19, 2003, the Court held a Markman hearing to construe key terms in

the ‘109 patent. The Decision on Claim Construction, states the following construction

for the term drive assembly: 

The drive assembly is an assemblage of two or more parts that

act together to impart motion to the flexible cover sections and

substantially parallel supporting bows from an unspecified

source

IV. The Trial

The trial extended over five days.

A. The Witnesses 

Testifying at trial for Sundance were: 

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1. Vincent Merlot, a co-inventor of the ‘109 patent, described the

development and production of the segmented cover system

described in the patent. He also testified about prior art and the

advantages associated with the patented system.

2. Ronald Bredemeyer, an expert witness

3. James Nanci, a co-inventor of the ‘109 patent, described the

background of the invention and prior art. 

Testifying at trial for DeMonte were: 

1. Walter DeMonte, a fact witness, described the Quick DrawTM system

2. Daniel Bliss, an expert witness

B. The Exhibits

The exhibits at trial included the patent in suit; file history and reexamination

history of patent in suit; claim construction chart, brochures and advertisements of the

Quick DrawTM system; brochures and advertisements of Sundance’s Detroit Tarp;

operator’s manual for the Quick DrawTM system, technical drawings, photographs and

examplars of the Quick DrawTM system.

V. Jury Instructions

When a case is tried to a jury, the instructions state the law of the case. Recital

of the instructions is helpful to know what the jury was told about the rules of law they

were to apply to the facts as they found them. Here the jury was instructed consistent

with the law. The relevant portions of the instructions follow: 

[Plaintiff’s Contentions]

I will first describe to you plaintiff’s contentions.

Plaintiffs contend that defendants has directly infringed claim

1 of the ‘109 patent. To prove direct infringement, plaintiff’s

must prove that it is more probable than not that defendants’

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Quick DrawTM trailers contain each and every limitation of

Claim 1. 

[Construction of the Claims]

In deciding whether or not an accused product infringes

a patent, the first step is to understand the meaning of the

words used in the patent claims.

It is my job as Judge to determine what the language of

claim 1 means and to instruct you about that meaning. You

must accept the meanings I give you and use them when you

decide whether or not the patent is infringed, and whether or

note it is invalid.

I will now define the meaning of the words used in the

patent claims at issue. You must use the definitions I provide

to you in your consideration of the infringement and invalidity

issues.

The phrase “used in a truck trailer” means “The

retractable segmented cover systems is used with a trailer that

is designed to be hauled by a truck.”

The word “bows” means “members that are either

curved or straight and have any cross-sectional shape.”

The phrase “drive assembly” means “an assemblage of

two or more parts that act together to impart motion to the

flexible cover sections and substantially parallel supporting

bows from an unspecified source.”

The phrase “slideably supported on the truck trailer”

means “the bows are adapted for smooth and continuous

movement along a surface on the truck trailer, which supports

the bows.”

The phrase “fixedly connected to the drive assembly”

means “fastened securely to the drive assembly.”

The word “independent” means “any one cover section

can be removed from the cover system without removing any

other cover section.”

[Infringement]

A patent owner has the right to stop others from using

the invention covered by its patent claims during the life of the

patent. If any person makes, uses, sells or offers to sell or

imports what is covered by the patent claims without the patent

owner’s permission, that person is said to infringe the patent.

Only the claims of a patent can be infringed. You must

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compare claim 1, as I have defined it, to the accused products,

and determine whether or not there is infringement. 

You have heard testimony about embodiments. There

are examples of how the patented invention may be made.

You should not compare Defendant’s Quick DrawTM product

with any specific embodiment or example set out in the ‘109

patent. The only correct comparison is with the language of

the claim itself, with the meaning of some terms that I have

given to you. 

You must consider each limitation of claim 1 of the ‘109

patent individually and must reach your decision as to each

assertion of infringement based on my instructions about the

meaning and scope of the claims, the legal requirements for

infringement, and the evidence presented to you by the parties.

Whether or not defendants knew that what they were

doing was an infringement does not matter. A person may be

found to be a direct infringer of a patent even if he or she

believed in good faith that what he or she was doing was not

an infringement of any patent, and even if they did not know of

the patent. 

It is your job to determine whether or not plaintiffs have

proved by the more probable than not standard that defendant

has infringed claim 1 of the ‘109 patent. 

VI. Legal Standards

A. Judgment as a Matter of Law

Fed. R. Civ. P. 50 establishes the standard for DeMonte’s motion. It

provides:

If during a trial by jury a party has been fully heard on an

issue and there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a

reasonable jury to find for that party on that issue, the court

may determine the issue against that party and may grant a

motion for judgment as a matter of law against that party

with respect to a claim or defense that cannot under the

controlling law be maintained or defeated without a favorable

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2 Because a motion for judgment as a matter of law raises a procedural issue that is not

unique to patent law, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit applies the law of the

“regional circuit in which the appeal from the district court would usually lie.” Summit

Tech. Inc. v. Nidek Co. ., 363 F.3d 1219, 1223 (Fed. Cir. 2004). As such, the Court

cites to caselaw from the Sixth Circuit regarding a Rule 50 motion.

8

finding on that issue. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(a)(1). When a party makes a renewed motion after a verdict has

been returned, the court may: “(A) allow the judgment to stand, (B) order a new trial, or

(C) direct entry of judgment as a matter of law [.]” Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(b)(1). The inquiry

for resolving a Rule 50 motion is the same as the inquiry for resolving a motion for

summary judgment under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56. White v. Burlington N. & Santa Fe. Ry.

Co., 364 F.3d 789, 794 (6th Cir. 2004) (en banc) (citing Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing

Prods., Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 150 (2000)).2 Consequently, “[j]udgment as a matter of law

is appropriate when ‘viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving

party, there is no genuine issue of material fact for the jury, and reasonable minds could

come to but one conclusion in favor of the moving party.’” Tisdale v. Fed. Express

Corp., 415 F.3d 516, 527 (6th Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks omitted). See also

Johnson Controls v. Jay Ind., 459 F.3d 717 (6th 2006). 

B. Infringement

An infringement analysis entails two steps. See Markman v. Westview

Instruments, Inc., 52 F.3d 967 (Fed. Cir. 1995). The first step is to determine the

meaning and scope of an allegedly infringed claim, and the second step is to properly

compare the claim to the accused device. Id. Further, there can be no infringement as

a matter of law if a claim limitation is missing from the accused device. London v.

Carson Pirie Scott & Co., 946 F.2d 1534, 1538-39 (Fed. Cir. 1991). 

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VII. Decision

A. Waiver of Right to Bring the Motion 

1.

 Sundance first argues that DeMonte is precluded from bringing the motion

because it did not move for judgment as a matter of law at the close of the proofs prior

to submission of the case to the jury. DeMonte admits it did not move for judgment as a

matter of law, but argues that Sundance also did not make a proper motion for judgment

as a matter of law regarding invalidity and that the Court permitted both parties, after the

verdict was returned, to file whatever papers they wanted. 

 “It is well-settled that a court can only consider a motion for a judgment [as a

matter of law] only if the moving party has previously made a motion [for a judgment as

a matter of law] at the close of all the evidence.” United States ex rel. A+ Homecare,

Inc. v. Medshares Mgmt. Group, Inc., 400 F.3d 428, 447 (6th Cir. 2005) (internal

quotation marks and citation omitted). The Court cannot consider the sufficiency of the

evidence presented at trial to support the jury's verdict where a defendant has failed to

move for a judgment as a matter of law in the district court. See United States v. L.E.

Cooke Co., 991 F.2d 336, 343 (6th Cir. 1993) (finding that the issue of the sufficiency of

the evidence was properly raised in the district court before reviewing the same issue);

Underwriters at Lloyd's London v. Sanders, No. 98-6722, 2000 U.S. App. Lexis 15947,

at *6 (6th Cir. 2000) (finding that the court was precluded from considering the

sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury verdict when the movant failed to renew

the Rule 50 motion); Jackson v. Huron Dev. Ltd. P'ship, No. 98-2356, 2000 U.S.App.

Lexis 4030 (6th Cir. 2000) (holding that a party who fails to move for judgment as a

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10

matter of law at the close of the evidence forfeits the right to raise such a motion after

the verdict, that party is also precluded from raising the sufficiency of evidence on

appeal).

 While the precedents suggest that the Court may not consider DeMonte’s motion

made for the first time after the jury verdict and based on the sufficiency of the

evidence, the Court concludes for the reasons explained below, that consideration of

the motion is appropriate under the circumstances.

2.

 DeMonte’s contention that Sundance did not make a proper motion for judgment

as a matter of law is wrong. The following exchange took place after the close of the

proofs and outside the presence of the jury:

The Court: Be seated. Any matters for the Court?

DeMonte’s counsel: Oh, no, Your Honor.

Sundance’s counsel: Your Honor, at this time, we would move for a

directed verdict as to Counterclaim 1,

Counterclaim 2, and Counterclaim 3, which deal

with the invalidity arguments, the invalidity based

on insufficient evidence as a matter of law.

The Court: Well, it’s called a motion for judgment as a matter

of law. I will take it under advisement.

Sundance’s counsel: Thank you, Your Honor.

The Court: I will not deprive the jury of the opportunity to

express itself, although you should both be aware

that I have said in the past that a jury verdict in a

patent case is only a way station. The Judge has

an obligation to give meaningful consideration at

any post trial motion if he feels that the jury has

erred, and if you view my decision in [Vieau v.

Jaypax], you will see illustrated what I’ve said.

Trial Transcript, April 28, 2006 pp. 76-77.

 Sundance did move for judgment as a matter of law. The Court treated the

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motion in a pre-emptory fashion because, as the Court stated, it was determined to

have the case go to the jury and that it would give meaningful consideration to any

arguments after the jury’s verdict was rendered. This is sufficient to satisfy the

requirement of making a motion for judgment as a matter of law. “[T]he courts take a

practical view of what constitutes a motion at the close of the evidence. Richard

Givens, Manual of Federal Practice, 5th ed. § 7.51 (2005 supp). See also Karam v.

Sagemark, Consulting, Inc., 383 F.3d 421, 426 (6th Cir. 2004) (when defendant stated

intent to move for judgment as a matter of law at appropriate times, but district court

ordered defendant to defer motions and expressly reserved all arguments, defendant

had properly preserved right to move for judgment as a matter of law after verdict). 

 Given the time constraints in having a jury waiting to hear final argument followed

by instructions so it can begin deliberations, the Court was not disposed to listen to a

detailed argument when it knew it was going to take the motion under advisement. This

is a common practice. As one commentator has said:

Most courts will not rule on a motion under FRCP 50 until after submitting the

case to a jury, subject to a later determination of the questions raised by the

motion. This avoids the risk of a second trial if the court of appeals holds

contrary to the trial court as to the sufficiency of the evidence. 

Givens, supra, § 7.51 (1998). 

 Given the Court’s expressed preference to taking Sundance’s motion for judgment

as a matter of law under advisement and obtaining a verdict, it is likely based on the

Court’s comments that DeMonte was dissuaded from making a formal motion for

judgment as a matter of law at the time, and instead decided it could make such a

motion after the jury returned a verdict. 

 Despite DeMonte’s failure to recite the magic words, to deny it the opportunity to

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3It is worth noting that DeMonte has not raised any errors with the trial, such as

improper jury instructions or improper admission of evidence or expert testimony, as

grounds for its motion.

4Had the Court been disposed to grant the motion and then withheld a decision in

DeMonte’s favor due to its failure to properly move, that would be another matter. 

12

argue that the jury’s infringement verdict was insufficient as a matter of law3

 would exalt

form over substance. This is particularly so since the Court is denying its motion,4 thus

there is no real harm. Indeed, considering the motion ensures a complete record for

review. 

A. The Merits of the Motion

1. Parties Arguments 

a. DeMonte

DeMonte, argues that the accused device, Quick DrawTM, lacks the drive

assembly as required by Claim 1. DeMonte describes the Quick DrawTM system as a

retractable segmented cover system that may be mounted to a trailer, which includes a

plurality of flexible cover or tarp sections and a variety of structurally distinct bows that

support the flexible cover and are arranged in a parallel configuration. The system also

includes a pair of spaced guide rails that are secured to the trailer and a variety of

structurally distinct wheeled guide assemblies that engage with the guide rails to provide

free rolling movement. In general the wheeled guides are also operatively connected to

support bows. One way to achieve movement of the Quick DrawTM system is to have

an operator grasp a portion of the flexible cover or a specific support bow and then walk

along side the system until the cover has been pushed or pulled to the desired position. 

DeMonte says that this system does not infringe because there is no structure,

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5DeMonte also cites the Court’s statement at the close of trial to further support the

argument that the Quick DrawTM does not have a drive assembly. The Court’s

comment was not intended to be definitive. On review of the record, including the pro

and con arguments on the motion for judgment as a matter of law, the tripartite scheme

which the Court suggested the patent called for compared to the bipartite scheme the

Court suggested was reflected in the Quick DrawTM system did not hold up.

13

mechanism, or assembly between the operator’s hand and the flexible cover or support

bow. 

DeMonte’s argument rests on construction of the term drive assembly, which

was found to include an assemblage of two or more parts that act together to impart

motion to the flexible cover sections. DeMonte contends that in the Quick DrawTM

system movement of the segmented cover sections is achieved directly from the

human operator so the wheels and guide rails are only supplemental to the movement

action and exist only to provide guidance and smooth rolling of the support bows. 

DeMonte further contends that without these supplemental components operation of

the system would still be possible, although it would be more difficult and inefficient. 

Therefore, the argument rests on a purported failure on Sundance’s part to identify or

establish a specific drive assembly for the Quick DrawTM system that actually imparts 

motion to the flexible cover sections. DeMonte says that the purpose of the guided

wheels are to receive motion from the human operator, the power source, through the

flexible cover sections and reduce the friction.5

 

DeMonte further argues that because Sundance has failed to identify exactly

what in the accused Quick DrawTM device forms the drive assembly, there is no way to

restructure the device as to not infringe the ‘109 patent. The argument rests on the

assertion that if either the wheels or the carriage were removed the system would still

be operable even though it would be more difficult to extend or retract the cover. 

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b. Sundance

Sundance argues it established at trial that the carriages, which it defined as

consisting of two or more parts that include at least two main wheels, a guide wheel,

the body of the carrier and the tarp handle, form the drive assembly that imparts motion

to the retractable cover sections. Further, Sundance argues the distinction DeMonte

attempts to draw between imparting motion and receiving motion adds an element to

Claim 1 of the ‘109 patent that is neither explicitly or implicitly present. Sundance says

there is no requirement that the drive assembly form a linkage between an unspecified

power source and the support bows. In the alternative, Sundance says that if a person

operating the Quick DrawTM device were to apply force to a leading bow to retract the

cover than the requirement of this additional element would be meet. Sundance further

argues there is no requirement that the unspecified power source act directly on the

drive assembly; rather, the only requirement is that the drive assembly impart motion to

the cover sections using the unspecified power source. 

Sundance also argues that the Quick DrawTM device could be restructured so

that it does not infringe the ‘109 patent. In order to do this, DeMonte needs to

eliminate the drive assembly by removing all the carriages to which the support bows

are attached.

2. Conclusion

The Court’s claim construction made it clear that the term drive assembly in the

‘109 patent refers to an assemblage of components that impart motion on a segmented

cover system. Moreover, the Court did not impute into the claim a requirement that the

components of the drive assembly be directly powered by the unspecified power source

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6Merlot testified as follows:

Q: Can you identify what that [drive assembly] is in the Quick DrawTM system?

A: Yes, I would consider any carriage with wheels a drive assembly.

Q: Carriage and wheels. Does this have carriage and wheels?

A: Yes, it does. 

Q: And where are they located?

A: They are located at the side of the [truck] trailer and the track supporting the

 bow.

Trial Testimony, April 24, 2006, p. 21, lines 4-8:

15

or that the power source associated with the drive assembly must be physically linked in

any way, shape or form to the components. Rather, this Court recognized the ordinary

meaning of drive, which Sundance offered as “a mechanism that imparts or transfers

power to a machine or within a machine.” Academic Press Dictionary of Science and

Technology 684 (1992). Under the Court’s claim construction, to constitute a drive

assembly an assemblage of two or more parts, which are operated by an unspecified

power source, must work together to cause the segmented cover sections to move. 

In the Quick DrawTM system the components of the drive assembly can include

the body of the carrier and the varies wheels located at the side of the trailer and the

tracks supporting the bows that form the segmented cover sections.6

 These

components are powered by a human operator, who can use a tarp handle to facilitate

application of human power, to extend or retract the truck cover. Therefore, a

reasonable jury could determine the Quick DrawTM system has a drive assembly, as

required by claim 1. 

The components recognized as the drive assembly of the Quick DrawTM system

are not supplemental components that only receive motion from a human operator. 

Expert testimony at trial established that the Quick DrawTM system is unique because a

human operator can extend and retract the cover by physically pushing or pulling. 

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16

Moreover, the wheels and the corresponding tracks are key to this unique operation. 

Sundance’s expert, Bredemeyer, testimony at trial on cross examination clearly

established the significance of the components in question: 

Q: So what’s unique about the Quick DrawTM system over

the Hall System [prior art]?

A: Well, what’s unique is you can walk up to the corner of it

and grab the handle and pull it, and the whole tarp system

comes along and stays on the trailer and goes all the way to

the front.

Q: What about it - - I understand that’s how it works. What

about it specifically makes it work so well? 

A: Well, the fact that the panels are all connected and you

have a drive assembly; the wheels that keep - - for it to roll on

as well as those underneath that keep it aligned so it will roll

straight down the side of the trailer. 

Trial Transcript, April 26,2006, pp.53-54, lines 13-24.

Sundance’s expert, Merlot, further established on direct examination that based

on the weight of the Quick DrawTM system it would not be possible to move the cover

more than a few inches without use of the wheels.

Q: Mr. Merlot, did you hear the testimony this morning of Mr.

Bliss [Defendant’s expert witness] who indicated that if he

took the wheels off of the DeMonte trailer you could still push

it?

A: Yes, I did.

Q: Is that an accurate statement?

A: No, its not.

Q: What’s wrong with that statement 

A: The system weights approximately 1,800 pounds or so,

and there’s no way it could be moved more than six or eight

inches, if that.

Q: Would it be your testimony that the wheels are required

to move that?

A: The wheels would be required, yes. 

Trial Transcript, April 28,2006, pp.72, lines 5-17.

The tracks on the body carrier and varies wheels that engage with the tracks are

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17

essential to proper and effective operation of the Quick DrawTM system. Therefore, the

components of its drive assembly are not supplemental to achieving movement of the

segmented cover system. 

A reasonable jury could determine that the Quick DrawTM system has a drive

assembly, and as such, infringes the ‘109 patent. There is no requirement in the ‘109

patent or the Court’s claim construction that the components of the drive assembly,

which are connected to the support bows, must be linked to the unspecified power

source to impart motion on the cover sections. Nor is there a requirement that the power

source act directly upon the components of the drive assembly to cause movement of

the cover sections. 

DeMonte’s second argument that it would be impossible to not infringe the ‘109

patent because a drive assembly has not been identified is a non-issue because this

Court has clearly described that the components of the Quick DrawTM system can form

the drive assembly.

Overall, the jury’s finding that the patent was infringed is supported by the record. 

SO ORDERED.

 s/Avern Cohn 

AVERN COHN

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Dated: April 25, 2007

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was mailed to the parties of record

on this date, April 25, 2007, by electronic and/or ordinary mail.

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18

 s/V. Sims for Julie Owens 

Case Manager, (313) 234-5160

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