Court Opinion

ID: 4243444
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-08 17:10:18.897706+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:21.937582
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

    WARREN K. MABEY, JR. and Krystal               )
    Mabey, husband and wife,                       )
                                                   )
                       Plaintiffs,                 )
                                                   )   C.A. No.: N16C-12-015 EMD
                  v.                               )
                                                   )
    CRYSTALITE BOHEMIA, S.R.O.,                    )
    CRYSTALITE BOHEMIA, INC. d/b/a                 )
    CRYSTALITE BOHEMIA USA, a New                  )
    York Corporation, HOMEGOODS, INC.,             )
    a Delaware Corporation, THE TJX                )
    COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware                    )
    Corporation,                                   )
                                                   )
                       Defendants.                 )
                                                   )

                                     Submitted: October 31, 2017
                                      Decided: February 6, 2018

               Upon Defendant Crystalite Bohemia, S.R.O.’s Motion to Dismiss,
                 Conditionally Granted Pending Jurisdictional Discovery

DAVIS, J.

                                        I. INTRODUCTION

       Krystal Mabey purchased a set of Crystalite Bohemia “Barbara” style wine glasses (the

“Glasses”) at a HomeGoods store in Delaware. Ms. Mabey took the glasses home where one

shattered while in the possession of Warren Mabey. As a result, Mr. Mabey suffered injuries

requiring medical treatment.

       On December 1, 2016, Ms. Mabey and Mr. Mabey (collectively “The Mabeys”) filed a

complaint (the “Complaint”) against Crystalite Bohemia, S.R.O. (“Bohemia SRO”); Crystalite

Bohemia, Inc. d/b/a Crystalite Bohemia USA (“Bohemia USA”); HomeGoods, Inc.,
(“HomeGoods”); and The TJX Companies, Inc. (“TJX”). In the Complaint, the Mabeys allege

that Bohemia SRO or Bohemia USA manufactured and distributed the Glasses.

        Bohemia SRO filed a Motion to Dismiss (the “Motion”) for lack of personal jurisdiction

and failure to state a claim. Bohemia SRO is a foreign corporation based in the Czech Republic.

Plaintiffs filed an Answering Brief in Partial Opposition to Defendant Crystalite Bohemia,

S.R.O.’s Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs’ Complaint Pursuant to Rules 12(b)(2) and 12(b)(6) (the

“Opposition”). Plaintiffs oppose the Motion claiming Delaware has constitutional jurisdiction

over Bohemia SRO. In the alternative, Plaintiffs request jurisdiction discovery (the “Request”).

        For the following reasons, the Court will conditionally GRANT the Motion, pending

limited jurisdictional discovery by the Mabeys of Bohemia SRO.

                                    II. RELEVANT FACTS

        Defendant Bohemia SRO “owns and operates glass factories in Czech Republic and

designs, manufactures, sells, markets, ships, exports, and distributes” Crystalite Bohemia

“Barbara” style wine glasses all over the world.1 Bohemia Inc. d/b/a Bohemia USA operates the

United States branch office of Bohemia SRO.2 Bohemia SRO is the parent company of Bohemia

Inc. and Bohemia USA.3

        In February 2012, Mrs. Mabey purchased the Glasses at a HomeGoods retail store

located at the Midway Shopping Center, 4607 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Delaware

19808 (“Midway HomeGoods”).4 TJX is the parent company of HomeGoods.5 On December 2,

2014, one of the Glasses spontaneously shattered and injured Mr. Mabey while he used the glass

1
  Compl. ¶ 13.
2
  Id. at ¶ 14.
3
  Id. at ¶ 15.
4
  Id. at ¶ 10.
5
  Id. at ¶ 9.

                                                2
as “intended and in a manner reasonably foreseeable by Defendants.”6 The broken glass cut Mr.

Mabey’s right wrist and forearm.7 Mr. Mabey required “medical treatment, was caused pain and

suffering, was prevented from pursuing usual activities, has incurred economic loss, and has

permanent disabilities that will affect plaintiff.”8

         In the Complaint, the Mabeys assert eleven counts: (i) Negligence against Bohemia SRO;

(ii) Breach of Warranty against Bohemia SRO; (iii) Negligence against Bohemia Inc. d/b/a

Bohemia USA; (iv) Breach of Warranty against Bohemia Inc. d/b/a Bohemia USA; (v)

Negligence against Homegoods, Inc.; (vi) Breach of Warranty against Homegoods, Inc.; (vii)

Negligence against TJX; (viii) Breach of Warranty against TJX; (ix) Vicarious Liability against

Bohemia SRO; (x) Vicarious Liability against TJX; and, (xi) Loss of Consortium against

Defendants.9 The Mabeys seek general damages, special damages, punitive damages relating to

any reckless conduct, pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, costs, and any other just and

equitable relief.

         On July 26, 2017, Bohemia SRO filed the Motion. Lubor Cerva provided an affidavit

(the “Affidavit”) in support of the Motion.10 On August 18, 2017, the Mabeys filed the

Opposition. On October 23, 2017, the Court held a hearing on the Motion (the “Hearing”). At

the Hearing, Bohemia SRO argued that: (1) Bohemia SRO is a foreign corporation; and (2)

Bohemia SRO transferred the glasses in a foreign country without any intention to target

Delaware. The Court ordered Bohemia SRO to file an additional affidavit to support the

statements made by Bohemia SRO’s counsel at the Hearing.

6
  Id. at ¶ 17-18.
7
  Id. at ¶ 17.
8
  Id. at ¶ 19.
9
  Id. at ¶ 22-96.
10
   Mot., Ex. A

                                                   3
           On October 31, 2017, Bohemia SRO filed the Affidavit of Lubor Cerva (“Cerva

Affidavit”). Mr. Cerva is the owner of Bohemia SRO. Mr. Cerva attests that only one factory in

the Czech Republic produced the “Barbara” glasses. A HomeGoods agent contacted Mr. Cerva

in the Czech Republic “to inquire whether it would be possible for HomeGoods to purchase

Crystalite glassware, including the Barbara glasses.”11 HomeGoods purchased glasses from the

factory in the Czech Republic, not FOB. Bohemia shipped the glasses to HomeGoods

warehouse distribution centers. No designated distribution center is located in Delaware.

Finally, Mr. Cerva states that Bohemia SRO “had no marketing plan or effort aimed at either

Delaware specifically or the United States more generally.”12

                                  III. PARTIES’ CONTENTIONS

A.       MOTION TO DISMISS

           Bohemia SRO seeks to dismiss the entire action against Bohemia SRO based on lack of

personal jurisdiction. Bohemia SRO argues that they do not fall within one of the categories of

Delaware’s long-arm statute, 10 Del. C. § 3104 (“Section 3104”). Bohemia SRO further states

that Delaware’s exercise of personal jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO would violate Due Process.

           If the Court does find that Delaware may exercise personal jurisdiction over Bohemia

SRO then Bohemia SRO challenges the Mabeys’ claims for negligence, breach of warranty,

vicarious liability, and loss of consortium. Bohemia SRO argue that the Mabeys failed to plead a

direct injury. Further, Bohemia SRO argue that the breach of warranty claim is time-barred and

fails to state a claim. Next, Bohemia SRO argue that the Mabeys agreed to “discontinue with

prejudice their claims against [Bohemia Inc.], any attempt to hold [Bohemia SRO] vicariously

11
     Cerva Aff. ¶ 4.
12
     Id. ¶ 8,

                                                  4
liable for the alleged conduct of [Bohemia Inc.] . . . must be dismissed as moot.”13 Finally,

Bohemia SRO argues that the Mabeys were not married at the time of the injury; therefore, there

is no cause of action for loss of consortium.

         In support of the Motion, Bohemia SRO attached the Affidavit.14 In the Affidavit, Mr.

Cerva states that Bohemia SRO is a foreign company, does not have contacts with Delaware, and

that one of their two factories “never produce the ‘Barbara’ glasses.”15 After the Hearing,

Bohemia SRO submitted the Cerva Affidavit. The Cerva Affidavit states that Bohemia SRO did

not target Delaware and that title of the glasses passed in the Czech Republic.16

B.    OPPOSITION

         The Mabeys argue that Delaware does have personal jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO

under dual jurisdiction. The Mabeys concede that the Court does not have general or specific

jurisdiction. In the alternative, the Mabeys ask the Court to grant jurisdictional discovery.

         The Mabeys concede that their breach of warranty and loss of consortium claims should

be dismissed. However, the Mabeys argue that their negligence claim is well-pleaded. Next, the

Mabeys argue that the parties agreed to not pursue vicarious liability unless discovery reveals a

potential claim against Bohemia SRO.

                                  IV. STANDARD OF REVIEW

     A. RULE 12(B)(2)—LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION

         Upon a motion to dismiss under Superior Court Civil Rule 12(b)(2) for lack of personal

jurisdiction, the plaintiff “bear[s] the burden to articulate a non-frivolous basis for this court’s

13
   Mot. ¶ 17.
14
   Id., Ex. A.
15
   Id.
16
   Cerva Aff. ¶ 33.

                                                   5
assertion of jurisdiction.”17 The plaintiff can satisfy this burden “by making a prima facie

showing that jurisdiction is conferred by statute.”18 Although the factual record is read in the

light most favorable to the plaintiff in ruling on the motion, “the plaintiff must plead specific

facts and cannot rely on mere conclusory assertions.”19 Additionally, the Court must answer two

legal questions. “First, it must determine whether jurisdiction is appropriate under Delaware’s

long arm statute. And, second, it must evaluate whether asserting such jurisdiction would offend

the Due Process Clause of the Constitution.”20

     B. 12(B)(6) FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM UPON WHICH RELIEF CAN BE GRANTED

        Upon a motion to dismiss, the Court (i) accepts all well-pleaded factual allegations as

true, (ii) accepts even vague allegations as well-pleaded if they give the opposing party notice of

the claim, (iii) draws all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party, and (iv) only

dismisses a case where the plaintiff would not be entitled to recover under any reasonably

conceivable set of circumstances.21 However, the court must “ignore conclusory allegations that

lack specific supporting factual allegations.”22

        As set forth below, the Court finds that the Mabeys fail to allege facts that support the

exercise of personal jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO. As such, the Court will not, at this time,

address whether the Mabeys have failed to state claims for negligence, breach of warranty,

17
   IM2 Merch. & Mfg., Inc. v. Tirex Corp., 2000 WL 1664168, at *4 (Del. Ch. Nov. 2, 2000) (citing Hart Holding
Co. Inc. v. Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., 593 A.2d 535, 539 (Del. Ch. 1991)). See also In re Asbestos Litig.
(Anderson), 2015 WL 556434, at *3 (Del. Super. Jan. 30, 2015); Boone v. Oy Partek Ab, 724 A.2d 1150, 1154 (Del.
Super. 1997), aff'd, 707 A.2d 765 (Del. 1998); Greenly v. Davis, 486 A.2d 669, 670 (Del. 1984); Harmon v. Eudaily,
407 A.2d 232, 233 (Del. Super. 1979), aff'd, 420 A.2d 1175 (Del. 1980).
18
   McKamey v. Vander Houten, 744 A.2d 529, 531 (Del. Super. 1999).
19
   Mobile Diagnostic Grp. Holdings, LLC v. Suer, 972 A.2d 799, 802 (Del. Ch. 2009).
20
   Boone, 724 A.2d at 1154–55. Sample v. Morgan, 935 A.2d 1046 (Del. Ch. 2007) (citing AeroGlobal Capital
Mgmt., LLC v. Cirrus Indus., Inc., 871 A.2d 428, 438 (Del. 2005).
21
   See Central Mortg. Co. v. Morgan Stanley Mortg. Capital Holdings LLC, 227 A.3d 531, 536 (Del. 2011); Doe v.
Cedars Academy, No. 09C-09-136, 2010 WL 5825343, at *3 (Del. Super. Oct. 27, 2010).
22
   Ramunno v. Crawley, 705 A.2d 1029, 1034 (Del. 1998).

                                                        6
vicarious liability, and loss of consortium. In the event the Mabeys develop facts during

jurisdictional discovery that support personal jurisdiction, the Court will then address whether

Bohemia SRO is entitled to relief under Civil Rule 12(b)(6).

                                              V. DISCUSSION

        To establish jurisdiction, the Court must first determine whether Bohemia SRO’s actions

fall within one of the categories in Section 3104.23 Then, the Court must decide whether

asserting personal jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO would offend Due Process.

     A. Sufficient Facts Exist to Suggest Dual Jurisdiction

        Delaware’s long-arm statute, Section 3104, allows the Court to exercise personal

jurisdiction over a non-resident when that person:

        (1) Transacts any business or performs any character of work or service in the
        State; (2) Contracts to supply services or things in this State; (3) Causes tortious
        injury in the State by an act or omission in this State; (4) Causes tortious injury in
        the State or outside of the State by an act or omission outside the State if the
        person regularly does or solicits business, engages in any other persistent course
        of conduct in the State or derives substantial revenue from services, or things used
        or consumed in the State. . . .24
        Dual jurisdiction exists out of contacts with Delaware arising from Section 3104(c)(1)

and (c)(4). “However, one must take great care not to overemphasize §§ 3104(c)(1) or (c)(4)

under this analysis. It is not important that the indicia of activity under § 3104(c)(4) rise to a

level of ‘general presence’ as usually required.”25 Rather, the Court should analyze the activities

“to determine whether there is an intent or purpose on the part of the manufacturer to serve the

Delaware market with its product.”26 Similarly, “when analyzing § 3104(c)(1) it is not important

that the manufacturer itself act in Delaware. Instead, if the intent or purpose on behalf of the

23
   Plaintiffs concede that Delaware does not have general or specific jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO. See Opp. at 6.
24
   10 Del. C. § 3104(c)(1)-(4).
25
   Boone, 724 A.2d at 1158.
26
   Id.

                                                         7
manufacturer to serve the Delaware market results in the introduction of the product to this State

and plaintiff’s cause of action arises from injuries caused by that product, this section is

satisfied.”27

          In Hedger v. Medline Industries, Inc., plaintiffs filed suit against a manufacturer and

distributor of tracheostomy care kits.28 Plaintiffs were injured by one of the kits in Dover,

Delaware.29 The manufacturer filed a declaration that set forth that the manufacturer was a Hong

Kong corporation with its principle place of business in China.30 Additionally, the declaration

provided that the manufacturer did not have any significant ties to Delaware and that the

distributor was independent of the manufacturer.31 Further, the declaration stated that the

manufacturer made the kits in China, title passed in China, and the distributor arranged shipment

of the product from China to the United States.32

        The Hedger Court found that there was a possibility of dual jurisdiction drawing every

reasonable inference in favor of the plaintiffs.33 In applying Section 3104, the Hedger Court

provided that “[t]he district court has consistently held, at least for purposes of the long-arm

statute, that ‘[a] non-resident firm’s intent to serve the United States market is sufficient to

establish an intent to serve the Delaware market, unless there is evidence that the firm intended

to exclude from its marketing and distribution efforts some portion of the country that includes

Delaware.’”34 However, the Court also noted a conflict between these decisions and J. McIntyre

27
   Id.
28
   2017 WL 396770, at *1.
29
   Id.
30
   Id.
31
   Id.
32
   Id.
33
   Id.
34
   Hedger v. Medline Industries, Inc., 2017 WL 396770, at *7 (Del. Super. Jan. 27, 2017) (quoting DNA Genotek
Inc. v. Spectrum DNA, 159 F. Supp. 3d 477, 481 (D. Del. 2016); Power Integrations, Inc. v. BCD Semiconductor,
547 F. Supp. 2d 365, 373 (D. Del. 2008)). But see Nicastro, 564 U.S. at 886; Delaware Intellecutal Ventures I LLC
v. Ricoh Co., 67 F. Supp. 3d 656, 661 (D. Del. 2014) (finding that Delaware lacked dual jurisdiction over a foreign

                                                        8
Machinery, Ltd. v. Nicastro, 564 U.S. 873 (2011)35—the relevance of which is discussed in the

next section dealing with whether exercising dual jurisdiction would be constitutional in this

situation.

         In this case, the Mabeys do not allege a direct connection between Bohemia SRO and the

Midway HomeGoods. The Mabeys, they assert that Bohemia SRO placed the Glasses in the

stream of commerce. The Cerva Affidavit indicates that Bohemia SRO manufactured the

Glasses in the Czech Republic, sold the Glasses in the Czech Republic, and did not target

Delaware.36 In fact, Mr. Cerva states that a “Polish ‘agent’ of defendant HomeGoods . . .

contacted [Mr. Cerva] in the Czech Republic to inquire whether it would be possible for

HomeGoods to purchase Crystalite glassware. . . .”37 However, when drawing every reasonable

inference in favor of the Mabeys at this early stage, it is possible that Bohemia SRO targeted the

United States market in general.

    B. The Exercise of Dual Jurisdiction Could be Constitutional In This Case

         The next question is whether exercising personal jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO would

offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.38 To determine if a forum court

meets this standard, the United States Supreme Court created fairness factors. They include: (1)

the burden on the defendant, (2) the forum state’s interest in adjudicating the dispute, (3) the

plaintiff’s interest in convenient and effective relief, (4) interstate or international judicial

system’s interest in most efficient resolution of controversies, and (5) shared interest of the

several states of countries in furthering fundamental substantive social policies.39

corporation because there was no evidence that the foreign corporation had the requisite intent to sell its products in
Delaware and the products could not be directly purchased online).
35
   See id at *5 n.26.
36
   See Cerva Aff’d.
37
   Id.
38
   See Intl. Shoe Co., 326 U.S. at 316.
39
   See World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson, 444 U.S. 286, 292 (1980).

                                                           9
        The United States Supreme Court further examined the constitutional limits of personal

jurisdiction based on stream of commerce in J. McIntyre Machinery, Ltd. v. Nicastro.40 In

Nicastro, the Court found, in a plurality decision, that a state cannot exercise personal

jurisdiction over a foreign defendant

        where the only contacts between the defendant and the forum were (1) an
        independent company’s agreement to sell the defendant’s products in the United
        States, (2) attendance by some of the defendant’s employees, alongside employees
        for the distributor, at annual conventions in various states outside the forum, and
        (3) the sale of no more than four machines that ended up within the forum.41
Justice Kennedy’s plurality opinion focused on the defendant’s actions rather than the

defendant’s expectations.42 The “analysis must focus on whether a defendant has followed a

course of conduct directed at the society or economy existing within the jurisdiction of a given

sovereign, so that the sovereign has the power to subject the defendant to judgment concerning

that conduct.”43 Secondly, “because the United States is a distinct sovereign, a defendant may in

principle be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States but not of any particular

state.”44

        Justice Breyer’s concurring opinion focused on the Court’s analysis in Asahi Metal

Industry Co. v. Superior Court of Cal., Solano Cty, 480 U.S. 102 (1987).45 Justice Breyer looked

at the three possible implications of the stream of commerce:

        (1) something more than simply placing a product into the stream of commerce,
        even if the defendant is awar[e] that the stream may or will sweep the product into
        the forum state, (2) a sale that occurs as part of the regular and anticipated flow of
        commerce into the State, . . . or (3) a regular course of dealing as shown by the
        volume, the value, and the hazardous character of a good.46

40
   564 U.S. 873 (2011).
41
   Hedger, 2017 WL 396770 at *7 (citing Nicastro 564 U.S. 873).
42
   Id.
43
   Id.
44
   Id.
45
   Id.
46
   Id.

                                                      10
Applying the plurality opinion’s holding, the Court finds that the Mabeys have not shown that

Bohemia SRO purposely availed itself to Delaware although the Mabeys did show that Bohemia

SRO targeted the United States market. Targeting the broader United States market is

insufficient under the plurality holding of Nicastro.

         In Hedger, this Court conducted a constitutional analysis of dual jurisdiction regarding

similar facts.47 The Court analyzed the plurality and concurring opinions in Nicastro.48 The

Hedger Court then turned to its facts49 and found that the plaintiff did not meet the plurality or

concurring opinions in Nicastro to establish the constitutionality of applying dual jurisdiction.50

However, the Court determined it was proper for the plaintiff to conduct jurisdictional

discovery.51

         In this case, the Mabeys’ allegations fail to demonstrate that exercising personal

jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO would be constitutional. Although the Mabeys showed that the

wine glasses ended up in Delaware, the Mabeys must allege that there is a regular and

anticipated flow of Bohemia SRO products in the Delaware market. Instead, the Complaint

connects either Bohemia SRO or Bohemia SRO’s subsidiary to the Delaware market. After the

Hearing, Bohemia SRO submitted the Cerva Affidavit. Although the Cerva Affidavit appears to

dispense of the Mabeys’ assertion of personal jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO, the connection

47
   Id. at *7-8.
48
   Id. at *7.
49
   See Part V.A.i.
50
   Hedger, 2017 WL 396770 at *8. But see Crane v. Home Depot, Inc., 2008 WL 2231472 (Del. Super. May 30,
2008) (finding that Delaware could exercise personal jurisdiction over a foreign company where foreign company’s
CEO visited stores in the United State to promote the sale of his product, was aware that Home Depot is a national
retailer, most of the foreign company’s witnesses are located in Illinois, and the State of Delaware has a significant
interest in litigating a case involving injury to a Delaware resident from product purchased at a local store); see also
Boone v. Oy Partek Ab, 724 A.2d 1150, 1157-62 (Del. Super 1997) aff’d Oy Partek AB v. Boone, 1998 WL 138690
(Del. 1998) (stating that Delaware properly exercised dual jurisdiction over a foreign manufacturer who passed title
of goods outside of Delaware, but had an intent and purpose to serve the Delaware market and the foreign company
solicited business in Delaware).
51
   Hedger, 2017 WL 396770 at *8-9.

                                                           11
between Bohemia SRO and the Midway HomeGoods is sufficient to survive the Motion subject

to jurisdiction discovery discussed in Part V.A.iii. But, the jurisdiction dispute depends on

whether the Mabeys can find adduce facts to support their position.

     C. Jurisdiction Discovery is Warranted in This Case

         The Court finds that the Mabeys are entitled to jurisdiction discovery if the assertion of

personal jurisdiction is minimally plausible. “It is relatively rare but not unheard of that a court

will require a plaintiff to attempt to make out its prima facie factual showing of defendant’s

amenability to suit without the benefit of discovery.”52 A plaintiff “may not ordinarily be

precluded from reasonable discovery in aid of their attempt to prove that a defendant is subject to

the jurisdiction of the Court,” but “plaintiffs are not entitled to jurisdictional discovery where

their assertion of personal jurisdiction lacks the minimal level of plausibility needed to permit

discovery to go forward.”53

         The Mabeys have not established that Bohemia SRO is subject to Delaware’s long-arm

statute and that exercising jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO comports with Due Process.

However, the Mabeys at least created a plausible argument that could support constitutional

exercise of dual jurisdiction in the Complaint. Therefore, the Court will allow the Mabeys to

conduct limited discovery regarding the exercise of dual jurisdiction over Bohemia SRO in

Delaware.

                                               VI. CONCLUSION

         For the reasons stated above, the Motion is conditionally GRANTED as follows:

52
  Hart Hldg. Co. v. Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., 593 A.2d 535, 539 (Del. Ch. 1991).
53
  Hedger, 2017 WL 396770 at *8 (quoting In re Asbestos Litig., 2016 WL 7404547, at *2 (Del. Super. Oct. 17,
2016)) (internal quotations omitted); see also Hart Hldg., 593 A.2d at 539 (citing Wyatt v. Kaplan, 686 F.2d 276
(5th Cir. 1982) (stating that “[w]hen a defendant challenges personal jurisdiction, courts generally permit
depositions confined to the issues raised in the motion to dismiss. . . . In appropriate cases [the Court] will not
hesitate to reverse a dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction, on the ground that plaintiff was improperly denied
discovery. . . .”).

                                                          12
         1.    The Mabeys must provide written notice to the Court within five (5) business

days as to whether they want to conduct limited jurisdictional discovery of Bohemia SRO;

         2.    If the Mabeys choose not to conduct limited jurisdictional discovery of Bohemia

SRO, then Bohemia SRO is DISMISSED from this civil proceeding without further Order of the

Court;

         3.    If the Mabeys choose to conduct limited jurisdictional discovery of Bohemia, then

the Mabeys must complete that discovery no later than the end of the day on April 20, 2018

AND submit a brief in support of personal jurisdiction (the “Supporting Brief”) no later than 4

p.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. If the Mabeys file the Supporting Brief, Bohemia SRO

shall have ten (10) days from the date the Supporting Brief is filed to file a reply brief (the

“Reply Brief”). The Supporting Brief and the Reply Brief shall not exceed 1500 words.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 6, 2018
Wilmington, Delaware

                                                       /s/ Eric M. Davis
                                                       Eric M. Davis, Judge

                                                  13