Rebirth of America, this is my era

Chapter 72 Punch Miluohua!
When Steve Jobs said that Atari had the patent license for 'US3728480 A', Ethan Jones suddenly felt his eyes become clear, and all those strange behaviors that could not be explained before were connected together!
First, there was the Snake Game negotiations a few months ago.

Since people had just come into contact with electronic games and had no idea about the operation process and presentation of electronic games, most people thought that Atari had only copied Nikola's work on the game "Pong" and had no idea about the patent infringement of TV games. Even if Nikola and Atari had a lawsuit, people only knew that Atari could not release new games for the next year, and did not know that Atari had used a year of stagnation to exchange for a patent monster. Under this kind of knowledge barrier, Ethan appeared with "Snake Game".

This appearance is a surprise for Atari!
When they themselves were about to give up the market, someone actually came to cooperate with them with a game?
This is simply God’s favor!
When Nolan Bushnell saw the extremely high quality of "Snake Game", he should have had the idea of ​​acquiring "Snake Game". Otherwise, why did Don Valentine propose a 99-year licensing contract during the negotiations?

At first, Ethan Jones thought that Don Valentine and his men were asking for an exorbitant price and were waiting for him to pay them back.

So he used Stanford to put pressure on them and signed the licensing contract for one year.

But now it seems... these guys must have done it on purpose!

Because the length of authorization time has no meaning to them!
Because they know better than anyone that if they dare to sell Snake Game, it will be an infringing product! As long as Ethan Jones is willing to entrust Snake Game to them, they will definitely witness Ethan Jones being sued by Milowa!
At this point, the second step, which is currently happening, also appears.

When Milova took Ethan Jones and Atari to court, Ethan Jones, who was bound to lose the case, had no choice but to pay money.

Because no one can win this case.

Ethan Jones's admission of loss and departure was the best opportunity for Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine. As long as they shifted all the responsibility for the incident to Ethan Jones, who had admitted to patent infringement, they could sue Ethan Jones as the victim and demand that Ethan Jones bear all the losses from the infringement.

That would be an astronomical figure!
"Snake Game" has sold nearly 10,000 copies!
Even if Atari was merciful and just let Ethan Jones make up for their losses, he wouldn't be able to do it!
And if Ethan Jones cannot afford the huge compensation, the third step, which is what Atari hopes to see, will become inevitable.

If you can't pay the money, then use something else to pay off the debt.

And what is the most valuable thing about Ethan Jones?
Isn’t that Snake Game!

After a tug of war, the two parties will inevitably reach an out-of-court settlement. Atari will reluctantly accept the infringing work "Snake Game" as compensation. At the same time, they can also use the compensation paid to Milova to embezzle all the profits from the previous release of "Snake Game"!

After this series of operations, Ethan Jones had to leave with regret, and Atari only spent a million in compensation to get all the copyrights of "Snake Game", and this copyright... will bring them exponentially more profits!

To be honest, when this speculation appeared in front of Ethan Jones like a passing show, what Ethan Jones wanted to do most was to strangle Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine!
Have you been thinking about his "Snake Game" from the beginning?

What the hell!!!
Of course, even if Ethan Jones deduced the truth, he had no intention of acting on impulse, so the next day, he found Barbara and told her all the news that Jobs had received and his own speculations.

The complete series of contents made Barbara see everything clearly. At the same time, she also asked: "Ethan, how do you want to deal with this matter?"

"Teacher Barbara, how can I deal with this matter?" Ethan asked back. He wanted to hear the wizard's advice.

"Uh……"

This question made Barbara ponder for a moment, "Ethan, although we have deduced the entire process of the incident, these contents have no factual basis. They can only make us understand what Atari is pursuing."

"If you follow the normal legal process, you will still lose the case and you will still have to pay compensation, but after knowing the truth, you will not pay in a confused state, but will pay with preparation..."

"I think you should understand what I mean, right?"

Barbara looked at Ethan seriously.

"Yeah!" Ethan nodded with a smile, "I understand. So we can't follow the normal legal process, right?"

"..."

This question made Barbara stunned for a moment.

Then, a look of confusion appeared on her face. "Oh Ethan, I am a lawyer and a teacher. In this case, you ask me if I can solve legal problems with non-legal problems? You are simply..."

"Can you answer a few questions for me?"

Ethan knew what Barbara was struggling with, so he changed the question and asked, "A few legal questions."

"That's fine." Barbara nodded readily and said, "So, what do you want to know about?"

It seemed like it was a done deal, so Barbara even joked -

"For example, what is the crime of illegally breaking into someone's private home and shooting them in the head?"

"For example, what is the maximum sentence for someone who shoots someone dead in the street?"

"Or after committing a serial murder, will turning oneself in make the judge consider reducing the sentence?"

"Hahaha..." Barbara's metaphor almost made Ethan laugh to death, "Oh Barbara! Do I look like that kind of crazy person to you?"

"Of course!"

Barbara also replied with a smile, "Excuse me, I can't think of any possible solution to this problem."

Ethan agreed with Barbara's words, because normal methods could no longer solve these problems, but at the same time, he knew that in addition to legal channels, there was another kind of attack in this world, called magic.

When these guys don't play by the rules, it's like Dad said - 'Magic must defeat magic'.

Thinking of this, Ethan's smile widened. He sat up straight and asked, "Barbara, first question, I want to know, after Mi Luohua sued me, but before I filed a defense, can Mi Luohua withdraw the lawsuit?"

…………

Sidley Austin has two offices in California, one in San Francisco and one in Los Angeles.

When Ethan stepped into Room 555 at 2000 California Street in San Francisco, the two lawyers who had previously delivered the legal letter to him greeted him with a smile.

After inviting Ethan to their office, they poured him a cup of American ginseng tea, and then sat opposite him with a smile. When the soft sofa sank into a subtle arc, cordial words followed.

"Mr. Jones, it's great to see you again. Although we just spoke to you on the phone, we still can't believe our ears. So, we want to confirm with you again. Do you want our client, Milova, to withdraw the lawsuit? And in order to achieve this fact, you are willing to accept all the compensation in the indictment, that is, to compensate our client, Milova, one million US dollars, and promise not to sell Snake Game in the form of a TV game in our country, right?"

"Hmm...half and half."

Ethan Jones, wearing a suit and tie, smiled and said, "As long as your client, Milova, agrees to withdraw the lawsuit, I, Ethan Jones, and my sister, Evelyn Johnson, are willing to compensate your client one million dollars."

"As for the promise of banning sales that you mentioned..."

"I don't think your client, Mi Luohua, would write this clause into the settlement agreement."

…………

"of course can!"

Barbara nodded and smiled, saying, "According to the laws of our country, after a plaintiff files a lawsuit in court and before the defendant files a defense, the plaintiff can withdraw the lawsuit, but he needs to submit a voluntary withdrawal motion to the court to end the case."

"Of course, if the plaintiff chooses to withdraw the lawsuit, all costs between the filing of the lawsuit and the withdrawal of the lawsuit will be borne by the plaintiff."

"However, in actual practice, if the defendant and the plaintiff reach an agreement and want to resolve the issue quickly, the costs that the plaintiff needs to bear will eventually be passed on to the defendant by the plaintiff."

After answering this question, Barbara also showed curiosity on her face, "Ethan, why do you ask this question?"

"Because I'm ready to reconcile with Miluohua." Ethan said with a smile.

'? ' This answer made Barbara look confused, "Why?"

"How do you know that Milohua is willing to reconcile?"

…………

Ethan Jones' words left the two lawyers very confused.

They looked at each other first, and then the guy sitting on the left said, "Mr. Jones, with all due respect, I don't understand what you mean, because our client has clearly stated that the infringer must be severely punished by law."

"If you just want to solve the problem by paying money, I think our client will not agree to it."

"Really?" Ethan Jones smiled, nodded, and said, "Then please tell your client, I, Ethan Jones, know why they want to sue me and Atari separately."

"Then, please tell your client that there is no problem with their separate lawsuits."

"I, Ethan Jones, can assure them here that they will definitely get two compensations."

'? '

Sidley Austin's lawyers looked confused. They didn't understand what Ethan Jones said.

But even so, they did as Ethan Jones asked.

After all, it was they who sued Atari.

…………

"Barbara, you asked me why I knew that Milohua was willing to reconcile with me?"

"This question is actually very simple." Ethan Jones said with a smile: "As you said before, Miluohua's prosecution behavior is quite abnormal. It was so abnormal that you once thought that Miluohua was deliberately targeting me."

"I couldn't answer your question before, but now I can answer it with certainty: yes and no."

"The reason why I said yes is very simple, because I think the reason why Milohua sued me is that they felt ashamed."

"As you said before, when middle-level leaders can blame their subordinates in order to keep their jobs, the senior leaders will not be much better. When they are questioned by their boss, they will cry for help like a drowning person."

“My presence does subject them to questioning.”

"So they will sue me at all costs and get as much compensation as possible from me. This kind of thing can only be handed over to an external law firm, because no one knows whether the lawyers in the company are loyal."

Hearing this, Barbara's brows relaxed.

"Oh Ethan…that would totally explain it."

At the same time, she also asked: "Instead of?"

"The reason why it is not directed against me is actually much simpler."

Ethan picked up the water glass on the table and shook it gently.

The originally calm water surface suddenly became rippled.

Looking at the scene that had lost its peace, Ethan smiled and raised his glass, "Because Milova himself knew that Atari had the patent for the video game and training device, but they didn't know whether Atari had infringed on the patent."

"I was enlightened by Steve Jobs' words last night. He said that Atari had a way to circumvent the infringement of Snake Game as long as the contract we signed did not involve machine agents."

"Mi Luohua will definitely know about this kind of thing."

"So, to be on the safe side, they filed separate lawsuits."

"Because my infringement is an inevitable fact, the provisional application of the Patent Office can prove it, but Atari's infringement is Schrodinger's cat. Before Atari put the contract we signed in front of Milova, Milova had no idea whether Atari had infringed."

"When Milohua starts doing this, it can only prove one thing..."

Ethan drank the water in the cup and looked at Barbara with a smile. "The people who decided to sue us don't care whether we infringed the rights or not. They just want to get compensation safely, through legal means, to prove to their boss that they are not wrong."

"If they really cared, they would have sent a letter asking questions first, rather than suing directly."

…………

"Uh... Mr. Jones... I just contacted my client, and they are very satisfied with the information you gave me."

Sidley Austin's lawyer smiled at Ethan Jones and said, "But, our client says that this established fact cannot be used as a bargaining chip unless you can come up with something else, something that interests our client."

"Then I want to know, what could interest your client?"

Ethan Jones leaned back and interlaced his fingers over his abdomen.

"You should be able to feel that I came here with sincerity today."

"Oh, Mr. Jones, sincerity is not something you can just say, right?" Sidley Austin, the lawyer who had called Milowa earlier, said with a smile, "You can definitely promise us more."

…………

"But even if you know that Miluohua is only seeking money and Miluohua's top executives are just trying to keep their jobs, taking the initiative to reconcile is actually the most disadvantageous option for you. Do you understand what I mean, Ethan?"

Barbara took a deep breath and said, "If we follow the process, we will submit a defense statement and then submit evidence on time, and the court will bring the case to the settlement stage. Then, with the judge's intervention, you won't have to pay so much money."

Barbara paused for a moment, then changed her tone and said earnestly:
"Ethan, I should have told you that judges are not gods, they are also human beings."

"When two young children stood in the dock, listening to the plaintiff's lawyer explaining their crimes with a confused look on their faces, any judge would feel sympathy! Because they know how outrageous this patent is!"

"Even though you will still lose the case in this case in order to uphold the fairness of the law, the judge, or the jury in the final court session, will feel that a million-dollar compensation is excessive!"

"They will definitely reduce Mi Luohua's compensation as appropriate!"

"If I were to defend you, I would definitely say that you did it unintentionally. In that case, one hundred thousand? Two hundred thousand? That would be enough to solve the problem! You know, Atari only paid seven hundred thousand for their Pong! I can even tell you that if it's more than two hundred thousand... Stanford wouldn't be able to stand it!"

"As long as I report the matter and Evelyn tells Vinton about it, all the school leaders will make the call for you. They will take the initiative to communicate with those idiots in the San Francisco court!"

"Because this matter really can't be blamed on you!"

…………

"Promise more?"

Attorney Sidley Austin's words made Ethan Jones laugh.

"I think you may not have figured out the crux of the matter. Reconciliation is actually more in your interest."

"If you really have to go to court, even if you have legal grounds, you won't be able to get more money than the settlement!"

"Because your client, Mi Luohua, has never publicly announced to the outside world that he owns the patent for 'video games and training devices'! It's not that your client can't announce it, but that your client doesn't dare to announce it!"

"Any normal person knows how outrageous this patent is! Your client only dares to sue directly, and does not dare to ask you to send a lawyer's letter. It is nothing more than trying to use legal means to shut up the infringer!"

"If you send a lawyer's letter directly, the infringer will definitely publicize your client's outrageous patent to the media, thereby gaining public support. If you sue directly, you can use the Federal Rules of Procedure to require the defendant to protect your client's patent information! Because this involves your client's privacy and trade secrets!"

At this point, Ethan Jones leaned forward and sneered, "But your request can only fool ordinary people, right? Because before the court issues a protection order, I can reveal everything to the media."

"The other defendants dare not disclose the facts only because they know that they will lose the lawsuit and want to reach a settlement with your client to pay less money."

“But when I was willing to pay compensation, you refused to reconcile and insisted on banning sales…”

"Then I'm really sorry."

Although Ethan Jones had a smile on his face, his words were cold, "Tell Mi Luohua."

"If he insists on banning the sale, I will contact the Los Angeles Times."

"Don't they want to make money from the patent?"

"I really want to know, after the truth is exposed, how much can you earn from this unjust lawsuit that you are sure to win?"

"I think there is one thing you know better than me, right?"

"Judges are human beings too."

Sidley Austin's lawyer gave Ethan Jones a deep look.

Then he got up and made a phone call.

…………

"Yeah~Yeah~Yeah~" Barbara's words made Ethan nod repeatedly.

"I know, I know it's better for me to go to court, but I need this settlement."

'? '

Barbara didn't understand what Ethan meant.

If you can lose less money, you should lose more money. Isn't this crazy?
Ethan said with a smile: "Oh Barbara, maybe in your opinion, my current behavior means 'not being reasonable in an unreasonable environment, not being a hero in a losing situation', but... I'm sorry, you are wrong, this is not what I pursue at all."

'That's not it?'

Barbara still didn't understand.

But the next second, Ethan's expression changed and he said loudly -

"Because I want Miluohua to die! I want those who keep putting their responsibilities on me to die!!"

"I've had enough of their endless trouble-finding behavior!!!"

"And how to make them die?"

"It's easy!"

"Just make one person feel that I'm pitiful!"

"As for who that person is..."

"I suppose you have guessed it?"

The sudden rise of the voice was venting the anger in his heart.

Calm inquiries are the expression of inner thoughts.

When Ethan calmed down and smiled harmlessly at Barbara, Barbara, who was startled by him, also laughed "goose goose goose", patting her thigh and nodding her head.

"Yeah~"

"If you want Milohua to die."

"Just make Professor Ralph Bell feel miserable about you."

"And Professor Ralph Bell..."

"He will definitely think you are miserable."

"Because he was very dissatisfied with Milova, and you helped Chuck Pete."

That's right!

The reason why Ethan was willing to pay the money was because he wanted to meet Professor Ralph Bell!
Because in the future, if he wants to make video games, he will not be able to bypass Professor Ralph Bell's patent for video games and training devices! When Miluohua holds it, it is equivalent to holding the entire North American video game market!

So how does Ethan play the game in this situation?
Can't do it!
But even if this patent is awesome, there are still ways to circumvent it!
As long as Professor Ralph Bell is willing to make games, he can be reborn in California just like Chuck Pete and MOS 6502!
As for whether Professor Ralph Bell is willing to make games?

This problem does not actually exist.

Because Steve Jobs once told Ethan that in order not to destroy the North American video game market, Professor Ralph Baer and Nolan Bushnell reached a settlement! The old man would rather suffer losses himself and protect the budding game market!

So, when Ethan found out that Milova's group of idiots were just looking for money, he decided to compensate them with one million. Then he went to visit Ralph Bell and told him that he wanted to make games, and begged the old man to come out and get a similar patent, so that Milova's group of idiots could eat shit!

Doesn’t Mi Luohua want to make money without doing anything?
I will tear down your house, split your bed, and tear up your bed board!

I tell you to lie down!
From now on, I won’t charge any patent fees to those who license me to make games!
Let’s see who kills whom!
Of course, all of Ethan's confidence actually came from Evelyn's previous enlightenment.

When he helps Chuck Petrus, these dream chasers will push him to the position of a saint.

If someone else approached Ralph Baer, ​​the old man might hesitate.

But Ethan believed that when he went there, the other party would only welcome him warmly.

"Clap clap clap..."

Barbara clapped.

"Ethan—Ethan Jones—"

"you really are--"

"too crazy!"

"Oh! Fxxk! I've been in this business for many years, but this is the first time I've seen a client as crazy as you!"

Although he cursed, Barbara still had to admit that there was nothing wrong with Ethan's idea.

Are you legally invulnerable?

Sorry, I can cut off the source of the problem!
After sighing, Barbara asked curiously, "Where are you going to get the one million yuan in compensation?"

"The number of one million must be very stressful for your family, right?"

"Who said I have to pay for the one million myself?" Ethan tilted his head slightly and asked with a smile.

"Hmm?" Barbara was stunned for a moment, then continued: "You want to--"

"Yes, you are right."

Ethan clapped his hands and straightened his collar. "Shouldn't Atari pay for this?"

"Since they want to steal my Snake Game, don't blame me for destroying their patent license!"

At this point, Ethan smiled and stood up.

"See you later, Miss Barbara."

…………

"Okay, Mr. Jones, our client agrees to settle with you."

After the second call, Sidley Austin's lawyer sat in front of Ethan Jones again and said, "However, our client said that he would send someone to San Francisco to discuss the specific details with you. Please be there on time."

"no problem."

Ethan Jones stood up with a smile and stretched out his right hand.

“I hope we can reach a consensus soon.”

"We also hope that this day will come soon."

Sidley Austin's two lawyers shook hands with Ethan Jones one by one.

"See you later." The two lawyers nodded.

"See you later." Ethan Jones said with a smile.

Note: ① It is a fact that Barbara knew Ralph Bell didn’t like Michelova. It was not modified for the plot. In reality, when Michelova sued those game companies, Ralph Bell publicly expressed his dislike for Michelova’s rights protection behavior. The old man really wanted to make games. Later, when Michelova refused to listen to advice and was not serious about making money in the game, Ralph Bell cooperated with another company called Coleco.

PS: Today's chapter is 6.8K, two-in-one, and it will be gone at pm. Tomorrow there should be another two-in-one at noon. This kind of chapter that needs to be finished in one go cannot be written and posted intermittently, so please forgive me.

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(End of this chapter)