King of Technology: A Fresh Start in 1983

Its reputation spread rapidly within university circles in Beijing.

Following that, Zhou Yuguang introduced several peripheral circuit board welding orders from the research institute.

Although the volume was small and the profit was meager, it got the new factory up and running.

This also allowed several newcomers, such as Xiao Wang and Xiao Li, to grow rapidly in real-world practice.

Production of Pangu Cards has also begun to get on track.

Although we still need to purchase bare PCB boards from external suppliers, having our own facilities and a relatively stable process has led to a significant improvement in both output and quality.

Zhao Xiaobo's sales in Zhongguancun gradually improved.

While it cannot shake the low-price market dominance of [Long Card], it holds a position among high-end users and in specific industries…

Research institutes, universities, and newspaper printing plants, among others, began to establish a stable customer base.

Just as Tiangong's factory had gained a foothold and was preparing to expand the production of Pangu Cards...

A letter from the HD District Administration for Industry and Commerce was delivered to Chen Jianghe.

The contents of the letter plunged Chen Jianghe into an icy abyss!

Tiangong Technical Service Department (Tiangong Precision Electronics Processing Plant):

Following reports from the public and preliminary investigation, it has been found that the "Pangu Card" products produced and sold by your factory are suspected of infringing on the patent rights of "Zhong Card I" (patent application number: 85020XXXXX).

[Remember the fastest online novel website: 121999.com]

We hereby order your factory to immediately cease production and sales of the allegedly infringing products and to cooperate with further investigation!

The document was stamped with the red seal of the Industry and Commerce Bureau!

Patent infringement?!

Chen Jianghe's head buzzed!

Chung Chiu-fai!

It is him again!

This time, they've actually started using "patents," a seemingly sophisticated weapon!

华国的《专利法》是于1984年3月份通过，1985年4月1日起正式施行。

Less than two months after its implementation, Chung Chiu-fai pulled this stunt!

Chen Jianghe immediately sought out the patent announcement for the "Zhongka III" that had just been published by "Chaohui Electronics Service Department".

The description of the "utility model" patent in the announcement is extremely vague and broad.

The core point is actually "an expansion card structure for displaying Chinese characters on a computer, which includes a character library storage unit and bus interface logic"!

This is the universal structure of all Chinese character cards!

Chung Chao-fai actually applied for a patent for this kind of infrastructure?

They even used it to sue Tiangong for copyright infringement?!

"This is malicious patent squatting! This is patent trolling!"

Upon seeing the announcement, Zhou Yuguang was so angry his beard trembled. "This basic structure simply doesn't meet the 'novelty' and 'inventiveness' requirements for a utility model!"

"Chung Chiu-fai exploited a loophole in the newly implemented patent law, where examination was lax!"

But anger won't solve the problem!

The order from the Industry and Commerce Bureau is a real one!

Once the infringement is confirmed, Tiangong will not only face huge fines, but the Pangu Card will also be completely banned from sale!

The factory that had just started to improve was about to face annihilation!

"What should we do, Brother Jianghe? Are we really going to stop production?" Zhao Xiaobo was extremely anxious.

"Stop? On what grounds should we stop?" Chen Jianghe's eyes were icy. "Does Zhong Chaohui think he can strangle us with a piece of paper? Dream on!"

He took immediate action and responded positively!

On behalf of Tiangong Precision Electronics Processing Plant, a formal complaint was submitted to the CP District Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce!

It was clearly pointed out that the patent for "Zhongka" lacks novelty and inventiveness and constitutes malicious registration.

It also provides a detailed technical comparison report on the differences between the Pangu Card and the Zhong Card III in terms of core driver logic, character library management, and bus interface design.

Immediately afterwards, Chen Jianghe launched a public opinion counterattack!

The core content of the appeal was compiled into an article and submitted to media outlets such as Electronic News and Computerworld to expose Zhong Chaohui's abuse of the patent system and suppression of innovation!

They immediately made legal preparations!

Zhou Yuguang used his connections to contact a newly established intellectual property law firm in Beijing and began preparing materials for a countersuit to invalidate the "Zhongka" patent!

Although the process is lengthy, we must take decisive action!

"Chung Chiu-fai wants to play dirty tricks? Then let's play along to the end!"

Chen Jianghe stood in front of the simple factory building in Huilongguan, looking at the gray sky in the distance.

"Technology is our foundation! Patents? They're just pieces of paper! Tiangong's [Pangu Card] didn't survive by copying others!"

The patent's hidden arrow has already been fired.

Can Tiangong's technologically advanced armor withstand this attack from the level of "rules"?

A battle for intellectual property rights and technological innovation quietly began in the commercial arena in the mid-1980s!

The patent dispute was like a boulder thrown into a pond, creating ripples both inside and outside the Tiangong Precision Electronics Processing Plant.

As expected, investigators from the Industry and Commerce Bureau came to the door with "infringement comparison materials" provided by [Chao Hui Electronics Service Department].

Chen Jianghe remained neither humble nor arrogant, and personally received them.

Using that detailed technical difference report and a physical demonstration of the [Pangu Card], the opposing side's accusations were refuted in a clear and logical manner.

Although the investigators were serious, they were unable to make a definitive conclusion on the spot in the face of solid technical evidence, and only stated that "further research" was needed.

The media coverage also began to gain traction.

The Electronic Newspaper was the first to publish an article entitled "Is it Innovation Protection or Market Monopoly? — A Brief Analysis of a Chinese Character Card Patent Dispute".

Although no names were mentioned, industry insiders immediately recognized the reference.

The article objectively quoted the views of both sides, but it also revealed concerns that broad-based patents might hinder technological progress.

This, to some extent, reversed public opinion and gave Tiangong a chance to breathe.

However, Chung Chiu-fai's underhanded tactics did not stop.

He used his influence in the distribution channels to start purchasing from Tiangong's potential customers, especially some state-owned enterprises, spreading rumors that "Tiangong infringes on intellectual property rights and its products may be banned from sale," creating a sense of panic.

Several orders for Pangu Cards that were almost secured were thus cancelled.

While dealing with the patent investigation, Chen Jianghe was also consolidating Pangu Card's core business...

At the same time, we also need to worry about Tiangong Precision Electronics Processing Plant, and how to get more welding outsourcing orders...

The pager, which had been silent for a while, started vibrating again.

The message came from an unknown number:

"Mr. Chen, your patent predicament may be resolved with the help of Hong Kong Star Hotel. We look forward to seeing you at Ziyunxuan, Great Wall Hotel, tonight at 7 PM! Lin Jianye."

Lin Jianye! It's him again!

Chen Jianghe gripped the pager, his eyes sharp.

Just as Chung Chao-hui's patent suppression began, Lin Chien-yeh extended an olive branch at the opportune moment...

What is the cost behind this "assistance"?

"Jiang He, don't go! This Lin guy is definitely in cahoots with Zhong Chaohui! They've set a trap!" Zhao Xiaobo immediately objected.

Zhou Yuguang frowned deeply: "Hong Kong capital is murky. What they're after is probably more than just the technology of [Pangu Card]."

Chen Jianghe remained silent for a moment, then made a decision: "I have to go! I want to see what this Lin guy is up to!"

He is not naive.

Instead, they understood that under the dual pressure from Chung Chiu-fai and Hong Kong capital, closing themselves off and holding on was by no means the best strategy.

Only by understanding your opponent's true intentions can you find a way to break the deadlock.

Moreover, he had a vague feeling that Lin Jianye's goal was probably far more than just a Tiangong factory.