Restart life

Chapter 240 0237 [Next Year's Runner-up in Ringtone Downloads]

Although Chen Guiliang knew which song was more popular, he really didn't dare to copy it randomly.

Take "Mice Love Rice" for example; it's currently embroiled in a copyright dispute lawsuit. In the upcoming second trial, Yang Chenggang's side has presented new evidence: they obtained the copyright to the song as early as 2001.

The viral internet song of 2004 was actually written in 2001, but no one had sung it until now.

After Wang Hao left, Chen Guiliang called a meeting with the company's senior management.

Chang Zhongxiang, who is in charge of finance, said: "We should indeed develop businesses that can make quick money. ByteDance's current profitability is too poor."

“We don’t understand music either. Suddenly we’re going to do ringtone business, and we don’t even know where to start,” Ao Yanzhen said, expressing her concerns.

Chen Guiliang said, "We only need to focus on two things. First, own the relevant song copyrights, and second, establish good relationships with operators. Whether it's China Mobile or China Unicom, they operate on a provincial basis, and there is no interference between provinces. China Mobile's market share in the ringback tone market in Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces is 18%, 13%, and 12%, respectively."

"Once we establish relationships with the mobile companies in these three provinces, the rest will be much easier. To put it bluntly, it's about giving them more kickbacks. We need to find an expert to manage these relationships with the operators."

The ringback tone market is currently experiencing rapid growth and will not decline for at least another three years.

The main reason for its decline was that China Mobile wanted to play the monopoly game, creating a wireless music club to squeeze the survival space of SP service providers. But China Mobile's joy didn't last long, as the era of smartphones soon arrived, directly undermining the foundation of the ringback tone market.

Chen Guiliang only needs to make quick money in these three years to make ByteDance's revenue look better.

Every company has special phases. For example, Tencent survived for two or three years before and after its IPO by making quick money through wireless value-added services.

Xie Yang said, "I have absolutely no experience with mobile companies, so I don't even know who to poach."

Shi Qian, who is in charge of legal affairs, said, "I can ask my old friends."

“Then I’ll leave this to Lao Shi,” Chen Guiliang said. “The music forum we’re about to acquire will need two or three months to be completely revamped into a commercial music platform. That is, after the start of the next semester, we’ll launch an original music competition on Renren.com and HaiNei.com, and take the opportunity to stockpile the copyrights of some original songs.”

"We only need the digital and ringtone rights to these songs. We need to work with record companies to recommend the winners and their works to them. This way, all parties can benefit, and the contestants will be more motivated."

Xie Yang said, "We have six record companies, including Huayi Brothers Records and Teda Audio-Visual, working with us. The singers from these companies have all joined HaiNei.com. When we are promoting our work, we can reach cooperation agreements with these six companies, and the winning works and winners will have the opportunity to sign with record companies."

"Okay, send someone to talk to the record company," Chen Guiliang instructed.

After discussing various details in detail, Chen Guiliang adjourned the meeting.

He personally replied to Xu Song's email: "Three months from now, Renren.com, HaiNei.com, and six record companies will be holding an original music competition. Would you like to participate? As for your copyright dispute with Fenbei.com, I asked the company's legal department, and it will be very difficult to get the copyright back. Almost impossible."

Immediately afterwards, Chen Guiliang replied to Xu Yuteng's email: "This is Chen Guiliang. Your copyright lawsuit is very easy to win. Would you be interested in coming to ByteDance to chat?"

Xu Song was probably preparing for his final exams and hadn't replied to Chen Guiliang's messages.

Xu Yuteng replied instantly: "When does President Chen have time? I'm in Beijing and can come anytime."

"Then come this afternoon," Chen Guiliang said.

After lunch, Xu Yuteng excitedly ran to see Chen Guiliang.

Chen Guiliang only knew two songs by this singer: "Wait a Minute" and "Li Lei and Han Meimei".

The number of ringtone downloads for "Wait a Minute" will rank second in the country next year!

ByteDance will make a fortune as soon as they acquire the ringtone rights to this song.

Chen Guiliang personally made him coffee, which made Xu Yuteng feel flattered. He accepted the coffee with both hands and thanked him repeatedly.

"What's going on at EMI Records?" Chen Guiliang asked.

Xu Yuteng said, "I used to be a freelance musician, and I wrote songs for Richie Jen, Huang Pinyuan, An Hu and others. Last year I signed with EMI Records and became a professional music producer. Alas, I'm stuck with this job, and I can only earn a fixed salary every month. I was so bored that I even made more than 100 episodes of Flash comedy short films. I sold the short films to Tudou.com a while ago and barely made some money."

"Why did EMI Records sign you and then leave you idle?" Chen Guiliang asked.

Xu Yuteng said, "The personnel changes at EMI Records have created complete chaos. The head of the mainland region has been sidelined, and the producer who used to mentor me has been forced to resign."

Three years ago, Cheng Tung-han (father of Cheng Chung-ki) became the president of EMI Records Asia. After thoroughly controlling the Hong Kong and Taiwan business, he began to target the mainland market this year. Through a series of personnel changes, he replaced nearly half of the senior management on the mainland side.

However, due to policy restrictions in China, foreign companies are not allowed to operate the record business independently, so EMI Records can only operate it as a joint venture with Shanghai Media Group (each holding half of the shares).

Therefore, no matter how Zheng Donghan changes personnel, it is impossible for him to completely dismiss the mainland management team.

The two sides are currently locked in a fierce struggle, and nothing can be accomplished due to internal strife.

Xu Yuteng was extremely unlucky. He had just signed with EMI Records when this mess happened, leaving him idle for more than half a year.

EMI Records will lose 2.6 million euros this year, and will be acquired and restructured by capital next year, and will simply withdraw from the Asian market the year after. Zheng Donghan seized the opportunity to take over, acquiring most of EMI Records' business in Asia, which is why Zheng Zhongji later became the heir to the entertainment industry. "How long was your contract with EMI Records?" Chen Guiliang asked.

Xu Yuteng said, "Five years."

Chen Guiliang then asked, "Did you sign a non-compete agreement? Are your record and management contracts still in your possession?"

Hsu Yu-teng said, "Large companies usually sign music producers, especially newcomers, for 5 to 8 years. It's almost like a contract of servitude. The contract comes with a non-compete agreement."

“I really like your song ‘Wait a Minute.’ Could you bring it with you?” Chen Guiliang asked.

Xu Yuteng shook his head: "It's difficult. During the contract period, all my works are tied to EMI Records. There's nothing we can do; newcomers have no rights. Only senior producers have the right to negotiate."

We're aiming for second place in annual ringtone downloads next year, so we absolutely have to get this song on the list.

Chen Guiliang said, "Try resigning and see. If it really doesn't work, I'll pay your penalty for breaking the contract."

Xu Yuteng had long since given up on working at EMI Records. He was a perfectly good music producer, yet he went off to create over 100 episodes of Flash comedy short films. How incredibly bored must he be!

Moreover, when his songs were infringed by Fenbei.com, EMI Records refused to help him with the lawsuit.

This made Xu Yuteng even more unhappy.

"Is Mr. Chen planning to get involved in the music industry?" Xu Yuteng asked.

Chen Guiliang nodded and said, "I only work on ringtones and music websites; I don't sign agency or record contracts. I want the ringtone and digital rights to 'Wait a Minute.' At the same time, I can recommend you to companies like Huayi Brothers Records."

Xu Yuteng said, "As long as Mr. Chen can help me get rid of EMI Records, I'll negotiate the copyright of 'Wait a Minute' however I want."

Given the current state of chaos at EMI Records, resolving the situation shouldn't be difficult; they could even cancel the non-compete agreement. However, they would have to pay a penalty for breach of contract!

After Xu Yuteng left, Chen Guiliang racked his brains, carefully recalling which songs would be popular in the next two or three years.

After thinking for a long time, the only song that came to mind was "Love for Sale".

It's hard to recall this if you force yourself to, but seeing the song title can bring back memories.

Therefore, Chen Guiliang plans to hold an original music competition.

In the evening, Tao Xue called: "I did pretty well on the two exams today. I performed at my usual level."

"Keep up the good work tomorrow," Chen Guiliang encouraged.

Tao Xue complained, "It's so hot today. The weather forecast said 39 degrees Celsius, but it's really stuffy. The temperature in the exam room must be over 40 degrees. I'm a little better off because the fan in my seat isn't far away, so I can feel a little breeze. I heard that some candidates got heatstroke halfway through the exam."

Chen Guiliang suggested, "Find a store with a freezer, pay tonight to freeze a few ice packs, and bring them with you to the exam tomorrow. If you get hot, just touch them with the back of your hand. Don't use your palms. Also, prepare some tissues so you don't get the exam paper wet."

"That's right! The exam room didn't say we couldn't bring ice packs." Tao Xue exclaimed happily.

Upon hearing Tao Chenggang's voice, Chen Guiliang asked, "Is your brother over there?"

Tao Xue said, "Yes, he came back specifically to escort me to the college entrance examination, and even borrowed a car from a friend. He has been driving the four girls in our dormitory these past two days."

Tao Chenggang is quite the doting brother; he abandoned his company and went back to his hometown to pick up and take his sister to the college entrance examination.

Tao Xue continued, "My brother is treating us to dinner tonight, and a few of my roommates are there too."

I don't know which girl shouted from the side, "Senior Brother Chen, I like you!"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

A burst of laughter came from the other end of the phone.

Tao Chenggang took the phone: "When Xiaoxue was taking her exam today, I went to check out the nearby internet cafes. About one-sixth of the people there were playing 'The Emperor's Reign'. I did a good job promoting it in Longdu City; I know all the internet cafe owners, and I negotiated cooperation with them with just one phone call. I've already captured the market in Longdu; hardly anyone plays 'Conquer Online'. The situation in the surrounding cities and counties is similar; it's all thanks to the connections I built up from promoting private servers before."

"Are there any plans to make a new game next year?" Chen Guiliang asked.

Tao Chenggang said, "Let's focus on operating 'The Emperor' first. I don't have the energy to make other games. I'd rather use that time to develop new maps for 'The Emperor'."

“That’s fine, but within three years, it would be best to consider making a second game,” Chen Guiliang suggested.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Tao Chenggang returned the phone to his sister.

Several girls nearby chimed in, chattering about all sorts of interesting things, and the conversation became increasingly lively.

(End of this chapter)