Tech startup: I really do make mobile phones!

Chapter 142 Orange's Belated Counterattack

In early November, the internet world was already thick with the smell of gunpowder.

The "Double Eleven" shopping festival, personally ignited by Ali the horse, is highly anticipated this year after its first year of trial.

Pre-sale advertisements from major domestic e-commerce platforms have already flooded the market, and consumers are eagerly awaiting the stroke of midnight on November 11th.

However, at this crucial moment of the e-commerce year-end shopping spree, Taobao was hit with two major setbacks!
The first blow struck the "Double Eleven" brand that Alima is most proud of.

On the eve of the official launch of the event, a summons from a Beijing court poured cold water on everyone's enthusiasm, extinguishing the fervor surrounding Taobao.

Jingdong has officially sued Taobao, demanding that it immediately cease using the unauthorized "Shuangshiyi" trademark!
The second blow was even more fatal.

Just one day before the "Double Eleven" event started, Taobao's rapidly growing mobile traffic entry point suddenly plummeted without warning!
The growth rate of new users plummeted by 30%, and they are still losing users every day!
The massive investment in the "Double 11" promotion is about to become a waste of effort, and the "Double 11" event, which carries the mobile debut of Ali Group's "Big Peach Treasure Strategy", is about to end in a disappointing way.

This time, Ahri is going to lose face in front of his domestic counterparts.

Tie Zhaoxi, the emergency response team leader who was temporarily thrust into the position of president of Taobao, was sweating profusely as he rushed to Ali Ma to report this devastating news.

Firefighters are ranked. Yu Dazui can turn the tide for Chrysanthemum Terminal's business, while Tie Zhaoxi was only put in this position because Ali Ma drove away Taobao's elder Sun Tong.

Speaking of "double 11", it was Sun Tong who proposed it last year!

The once-prosperous Ali Ma, the richest man in China, was basking in the joy of reaping huge traffic and wealth on the 11th when he suddenly heard this "bad news." The smile on his face instantly froze, and a sense of offended anger rose up.

"What's going on? Who's so bold as to register our trademark?" His sharp gaze pierced Tie Zhaoxi like a knife.

Tie Zhaoxi's Adam's apple bobbed as he gave his report with difficulty.

“Mr. Ma, we have confirmed the trademark issue. Last year, Mr. Sun only suggested trying the ‘Double Eleven’ concept marketing, and we did not register the trademark.”

“Jingdong’s ‘Shuangshiyi’ trademark rights are valid, and they just bought them from someone else.”

He carefully pushed a document in front of Alima.

With a gloomy face, Ali Ma opened the photocopy of the "Trademark Registration Certificate".

When his gaze swept over the registrant information section, his pupils suddenly contracted!

Trademark Registration Certificate

Registration Number: 10096573R (National Registered Register)
Trademark Name: Double Eleven
Registered Legal Entity: [Shenzhen Orange Technology Co., Ltd.]

Address: [12th Floor, Huabeiqiang Electronics Building, Futian District, Shenzhen]
Approved use of advertising and sales services (Class 35): This category includes services such as advertising, online promotion, and sales promotion for others (see the Trademark Office's list of approved goods for details).

注册有效期：自2010年10月30日至2025年10月29日

Trademark design: (The Double Eleven trademark logo is attached here)

Intellectual Property Office and Trademark Office (Official Seal)
November 2010, 10

"Chen Mo!"

These two words were practically squeezed out from between Ahri's teeth, and a surge of anger from being tricked instantly rose to the top of his head!

He suppressed the urge to flip the table and his mind raced.

Starting with the certificate number, 10096573R—September 2010, the 6573rd national registration application (R category).

This kid!
How could he have been so certain back in September that we would be heavily promoting Double Eleven this year, and even preemptively registered the trademark?
Was this leaked by Sun Tong, who was unhappy with his own dismissal?

still is
Does this kid really have such a sharp "strategic vision"?
A mere traitor is not so terrible, but the latter possibility sent a chill down Ahri's spine.

"And what's with the mobile data traffic?" Ahri's voice was cold, filled with suppressed anger.

Tie Zhaoxi felt a chill run down his spine, but he forced himself to explain.

"Mr. Ma, the problem lies in the application distribution channels."

The main entry point for mobile traffic in China is Android, accounting for 77.4%.

After Google's three-piece suite was discontinued, our app downloads mainly relied on third-party app stores.

Just yesterday, our Ali-themed apps were suddenly removed from the review process on App Store, the third-party Android app store with the largest market share in China. The mobile entry point was directly cut off!

"App Store?"

Ahri keenly caught the key name, and the anger in her eyes was instantly replaced by a glint of predator eyeing its prey: "What's its background? What's its market share?"

"It is the earliest and currently the largest third-party Android app store in China. It started testing in July and by the end of October, it had already captured 70% of the overall third-party app market share!"

It's worth noting that Green Bean and Anzhi Mall, which only entered the Android third-party app store market in October, have a market share that is practically zero – 4.8% to 3.1%, each lagging behind the other. Yet, they are already considered the second and third largest players in the industry.

Among the categories of Android apps in China, there is actually a hidden giant – Orange Treasure Input Method.

As a fundamental underlying system application, it has an astonishing market share of 86.3%.

Nowadays, not all Android users may use App Store or know about Orange Treasure, but as long as they need to input simplified Chinese characters, they will definitely download Orange Treasure Input Method.

What's even more impressive is that Chengbao not only pioneered 26-key input and sentence-by-sentence input, but also holds a bunch of patents for simplified Chinese character input on mobile devices, making it the undisputed "ceiling of the input method industry".

Especially for Sogou and Baidu, which only entered the mobile input method market in October, it would have been quite troublesome for them to bypass the competition if they hadn't cross-licensed some mobile input method patents with Orange Technology.

"Stop rambling!" Ahri frowned, somewhat annoyed with this timid and submissive firefighter, Taobao: "Explain its importance clearly!"

Tie Zhaoxi hurriedly added data to illustrate its importance: "Based on the total traffic of domestic mobile application entry points, this company alone controls 54.18%!"

54.18%!

It accounts for half of the domestic mobile traffic entry points!

Ahri's heart skipped a beat!
A tremendous sense of crisis instantly transformed into an intense possessiveness!

How is this still a problem?
This is clearly a gift from heaven, a key that allows the Ali Group to control the lifeline of traffic in the mobile internet era, a strategic entry point that is even more important than the "Double Eleven" trademark!

"Acquire it!"

Ahri's determination was unwavering, her eyes gleaming with a resolute light.

"At all costs, acquire 'App Treasure' for me! Money is no object! If 100 million isn't enough, then 1 billion! We must take it! This will be the core barrier for our Ali Group in the mobile field in the future!"

Why was Baidu willing to spend $19 billion to acquire 92 Wireless, a leading application distribution platform, setting a record for the largest acquisition in the Chinese internet industry at the time?

Firstly, it genuinely lacks a "ticket" to the new era of mobile internet; secondly, it's because the two companies are driving up the price.

Ahri Ma seems to have already foreseen the glorious future of Ahri-related apps having unparalleled access to mobile traffic after controlling App Store.

As for the Google three-piece set?
That's all in the past!
As one of the most prominent figures in the domestic business world, he naturally knew that Google's three-piece set was not coming back.

As for hardware manufacturers?
At this point, since hardware manufacturers have revenue from pre-installed promotional software to cover costs, no one thought they would voluntarily change this mature business model.

When businesses are making money, they generally won't venture into unfamiliar areas or dabble in random, unrelated businesses to distract themselves.

As for why hardware manufacturers later started developing their own app stores, it's because Baidu was a bit short-sighted.

I own the largest third-party app store in China, and I want a piece of the pie too—pre-installed promotional software.
Then, hardware manufacturers launched their own online stores, effectively crushing the 92 application platform.
Baidu's huge investment in the mobile internet era has vanished just like that, becoming a source of amusement for everyone.

It's worth noting that Baidu spent $19 billion to buy that "ticket," setting a record for the largest acquisition in the history of the Chinese internet industry.

When the acquisition was completed, everyone in the industry genuinely believed that Baidu would be able to maintain its position as one of the "Big Three" in the mobile internet era.

Later, it became known domestically as a "buyer who gets ripped off" not because it was stupid, but because it was greedy for small gains.

"A True Account of the Internet World - 92 Acquisitions"

Which is more important, the $19 billion or the pre-installation promotion fee?
Bai Du said: Abandon the big and choose the small.

It will only make everyone laugh!
Therefore, in AliMa's eyes at this moment, hardware manufacturers are far less important than third-party app stores that control the entry traffic. Listening to AliMa's ambitious acquisition plan and seeing his almost fanatical expression, Tie Zhaoxi felt even more uneasy.

He waited until Ahrima's impromptu speech came to an end before cautiously reminding him.

"Mr. Ma, that acquisition of App Store... I'm afraid... I'm afraid it won't work!"

"Ok?"

Ahri frowned and looked at him with displeasure.

"What can't be done? If the money's right, is there any startup that Ali can't acquire?"

It's just a third-party app store that's only been around for three months. For a deep-pocketed company like Ali, it's only worth a few dollars!

Tie Zhaoxi took a deep breath and, with a look of grim determination, blurted out the truth: "Because... App Treasure... is a product of Orange Technology... so... uh... so..."

Although the conflict between Ali Ma and Chen Mo was not made public, high-ranking Ali executives like Tie Zhaoxi were aware of it.

After all, Ah Li Ma directly bypassed him and ordered Taobao to remove Orange Phone from the app store for compliance review. As the president of Taobao, it's hard for him not to know about this.

Orange Technology

These four words were like a spell that froze Ahri's confidence and fervor in an instant!

The muscles on his face twitched slightly, and his once spirited expression shattered inch by inch, eventually turning into a grim, ashen look.

It's him again. Chen Mo!

Ahri felt a surge of pent-up energy rush to the top of her head, and her vision blurred.

He had just been envisioning the grand blueprint of the Ali Group controlling the mobile internet gateway, when in the blink of an eye, this persistent little devil slapped him hard in the face with reality.

First, they preemptively registered my trademark, cutting off my "Double Eleven" marketing campaign. Then, they remained silent for a while, only to sever my traffic lifeline at a crucial moment. This guy...
This was like stabbing him in the back twice with pinpoint accuracy, just when he, Ahri, was riding high and ready to unleash his full potential.

"boom!"

Ahri could no longer control herself and slammed her fist heavily onto the expensive mahogany table, making the teacups jump.

Tie Zhaoxi trembled with fright and dared not utter a sound.

Ahri's chest heaved violently, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

He forced himself to calm down, but the feeling of being schemed against, controlled, and even vaguely threatened made him extremely irritable.

Two months had passed, and Ahri had almost forgotten about this "minor trouble." Unexpectedly, the other party, without saying a word, dealt him such a fatal blow at the crucial moment of "Double Eleven."

Moreover, Ah Li Ma was somewhat alarmed. The other party had accurately positioned itself on the three hottest trends: "new energy," "mobile internet," and "smart terminals." Every step they took was both fast and steady. If left unchecked, it would definitely become a major threat to Ah Li Ma in the future!
What frustrated Ahrima even more was that he found himself somewhat helpless in dealing with this "little trouble".

Because the other party holds the trump card of "gaseous lithium batteries," a strategic technology that even the top leaders pay close attention to and place high hopes on.

He, Ali Ma, can use commercial means to suppress Orange Technology, block its mobile phones, and squeeze its channels, but he must never affect gaseous lithium batteries.

Otherwise, the first to object wouldn't be Chen Mo, but rather the real big shots in the country!

This feels like the main villain in an urban web novel. He clearly has overwhelming strength over the protagonist, but because the protagonist has an unfathomable "old man" protecting him, he can only use limited means to suppress him. As a result, he can only watch helplessly as the protagonist escapes danger time and time again, and even turns around and slaps himself in the face.

Ahri is in his prime and ambitious; he is not incapable of crushing Orange Technology in one blow.

However, the presence of gaseous lithium batteries is like an invisible golden light surrounding the opponent, preventing him from unleashing his full power.

The bigwigs' attitude is very clear: you can compete in business, but we'll use you to teach that kid who insists on making phones a lesson, so he'll come back and focus on core technology (gaseous lithium batteries) and stop thinking about making phones!
With so many people who can make mobile phones, how could we possibly lack a mobile phone manufacturer?
China lacks companies that develop core technologies. However, if you take on the role of the villain and use normal methods, the bigwigs will just watch and remain silent. But if you dare to touch him, dare to touch gaseous lithium batteries, and ruin the grand plan for new energy development, then don't blame us for being impolite.

Therefore, Ahri Ma, Fantasy CEO Liu, and even Master Lin's "lesson" to Chen Mo were always confined within a framework, leaving them feeling extremely stifled.

This is also the reason why Chen Mo was so confident that Orange could overcome any difficulties after he keenly noticed this.

After all, the opponent doesn't use physical attacks; it's all about commercial area-of-effect attacks. At worst, Orange Company will go bankrupt!
It's like a Contra player who has been given an unlimited life cheat by a powerful figure. Even if he gets knocked down a hundred times, if Chen Mo is not satisfied, he can start all over again from the same spot. It's not a big deal at all.

As for surrendering when you can't win?

Do not!
Chen Mo chose a strategic retreat and a southwest retreat to recover health. Ahri then focused on engaging Jingdong in a team fight, charging out of the bushes to unleash a burst of damage, specifically targeting his kidneys and teaching him a lesson.

"call"

Ahrima exhaled a long breath, forcibly suppressing his surging anger, his voice icy cold and devoid of any warmth.

"Zhaoxi, go and do two things immediately!"

"First, send someone to talk to Jingdong!"

No matter the cost, buy back the right to use the "Shuangshiyi" trademark, even if it's just a shared right.

At the same time, the Ministry of Justice immediately initiated procedures and applied to the Trademark Office to declare the trademark invalid!

Find your own reason!

"Second," a cold glint flashed in his eyes, "notify Taobao platform to immediately remove all orange-related products!"

"This includes phone cases, screen protectors, and phone stands," Ali Ma emphasized. "All Orange-related products must undergo a 'compliance review,' and none are allowed to be listed until a clear result is obtained!"

Tie Zhaoxi nodded repeatedly, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon.

"Yes, Mr. Ma! I'll take care of it right away!"

After saying that, he practically ran away from the oppressive and suffocating office.

After Tie Zhaoxi left, Ali Ma stood alone in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling city of Hangzhou.

The city's neon lights were reflected in his gloomy eyes, but they couldn't dispel the heavy gloom.

The vendors in Huabei Qiang are about to face Taobao's indiscriminate AOE attack, but will this damage Orange Technology's core?

Ahri herself knows that it probably can't.

Because Chen Mo doesn't seem to be mass-producing these "low-tech" parts at all, but that's Ahri's way of saying that if others don't want to get caught in the crossfire, they should stay away from Chengzi.

Ahri was never afraid of Chen Mo's one-on-one counterattacks. On the contrary, she was wary of his strategy of using benefits to win over allies, avoiding direct confrontation, and adopting a "you do your thing, I'll do mine" approach.

Just like how ten fingers can hold down ten fleas, but not more, even if Ahri is strong, she will inevitably fall into a situation where she has to deal with one thing while neglecting another.

The Orange faction only has one app, Bao, and it dares to stab itself in the back. Ahri Ma simply cannot imagine what the other side would dare to do if it had a few more allies.

Immediately, Ahri Ma regretted his battle of wits with Fantasy CEO Liu, and both of them coincidentally used Chen Mo, this "small fry," to establish their authority.

This kid's slippery now, he's tough to deal with!
Just then, the secretary carefully brought over a briefing.

Alima glanced at it and saw a screenshot of the Jingdong Mall homepage on the briefing—a huge "Double Eleven" carnival promotional poster with the words "[Officially Authorized (Pingguo Orange Co-branded Limited Edition)]" glaringly obvious!
The product prominently featured in the center of the poster is the official, genuine "Pingguo Companion" manufactured by Orange Technology, which is much smaller and more exquisite than the one from North China.

Hmm! Pingguo's designers still have good taste, but it's a pity that the copyright for the co-branded phone case belongs to Pingguo. Orange Technology mainly makes money by selling the Orange 1Q Calling Treasure within the product line.

"Crack!"

The pen in Ahri's hand snapped in two.
What I feared most has come true! Oranges and apples have teamed up and even released a co-branded apple companion!

As for why Orange doesn't retaliate against Fantasy?
Faced with this domestic technology leader in 2010, the world's third-largest PC manufacturer, and currently the temporary leader of domestic smartphones, Orange can only temporarily avoid the limelight!
Here's a little-known fact: Fantasy phones were already pretty bad in the future, but even with all that, their sales never fell out of the top ten among domestic brands. Chen Mo was really wondering who was buying Fantasy phones.

foreign?

2010 years.

Fantasy revenue scale vs. Orange revenue scale:

1108 billion yuan vs 26 billion yuan
This is nothing. Orange can only use tricks and sneak attacks against internet giants like Ali, but it has a long way to go to use business methods to fight back against industrial groups like Fantasy!
(End of this chapter)