I’m in Hollywood Chapter 1140: Looping on grass and hitting rabbits

Remember [lnmao.org] in one second, fast update, no pop-up window, free to read!

Due to the cyber attacks and eavesdropping incidents that occurred a few days ago, the Firefly system has been rearranging various security measures in recent times. Ensuring the security of e-mail and mobile communications are two of the most important.

Accordingly, RIM of Canada just signed a cooperation agreement with Sprint, a telecom operator invested by Firefly, and Kelly recommended BlackBerry of RIM to Eric.

The RIM company released the BlackBerry mobile phone with Sprint ’s CDMA network, which just met the information security and confidentiality requirements of both email and mobile communications. Eric decided to promote this mobile phone within the Firefly system.

At the same time, by the way, the acquisition of RIM, which is still in the early stage of development, is naturally a matter of course.

Blackberry phones are also very suitable as a sub-brand of Nokia's main business security field.

Compared with Nokia whose market value has exceeded 100billion USD in recent months, although RIM ’s recent share price has also risen sharply, its current market value is only 200 million more than 60 million USD. In any case, buying RIM will be a very cost-effective business.

Moreover, combining the information in the hands and the information in the memory, Eric also found that the situation of the BlackBerry was almost the same as that of the MP3 player.

In the past history, before these two products were launched on a large scale, they already had a very mature technology accumulation. But because of missing the best opportunity for commercial promotion, two years later, the two products have just become popular, and they are quickly pushed out of the market by new electronic products. MP3 players have been eliminated by various types of music phones, and BlackBerrys have been eliminated by touch screen smartphones with more abundant applications.

Now, Eric can clearly see the market potential of BlackBerry. Then, without waiting for opportunities such as the United States high-level government officials using BlackBerry phones to receive disaster site information in real time during the 9/11 period, with the powerful channels and resource advantages of the Firefly system, BlackBerry phones can be promoted in advance.

And, if there is more time to complete the layout of BlackBerry and related peripheral services, even if the smartphone era comes, Eric believes that BlackBerry, which focuses on high-end business and security, can no longer decline as fast as it once was.

After taking over the documents handed over from Meyer, Eric asked casually: "What are the problems?"

"The most important thing is the patent," Meyer replied: "Nokia's evaluation of the BlackBerry phone found that this phone violated at least more than 20 patents of the company. Moreover, the wireless mail push function of the BlackBerry phone, the core The patent is also not in RIM ’s hands, but is held by a company called NTP in Virginia. RIM is currently very small and has not attracted much attention. However, if we buy BlackBerry, then, such as NTP Holders of such patents will definitely file patent litigation, and may even result in a federal ban on the sale of BlackBerry phones. "

Over the years, Eric has been paying great attention to the patent layout of the companies under the Firefly system. The most important reason is that it has been affected by a series of patent wars in memory. Among them, the wireless mail patent battle between RIM and NTP is undoubtedly the most impressive one.

In 2006, after six years of see-saw litigation, NTP finally passed a series of wireless mail patents, from RIM ’s nearly blackmail claims to huge patent compensation costs exceeding 600 million USD.

Look at RIM ’s current market value of 300 million USD. Even if history does not change, for RIM in 2006, the patent compensation fee of 600 million USD is definitely a blow to the bones.

Of course, if you think about it now, the compensation of 600 million USD must be biased by the federal government.

Although the focus of the RIM business used to be in North America, it was still Canada company, but NTP was United States company. Naturally, the federal government is unlikely to be open to outsiders. RIM wants to continue to maintain business in United States and can only eat this super dumb loss .

Thinking on the desktop for a moment, Eric said: "Are n’t the patents of e-mail in our hands, Yahoo or Firefly electronics, is there no research and development involving wireless mail technology?"

"Yes, but it is not as comprehensive as NTP." Meyer nodded and continued: "Although wireless mail has some technical overlap with e-mail, it is not completely a derivative of e-mail technology. NTP Corporation 1992 It was established, the registration time of the other party ’s patent is almost synchronized with the registration time of the e-mail patent held by Yahoo. I have consulted the patent management departments of Yahoo and Firefly Electronics. They said that according to the degree of technical overlap between the two parties, if we file a lawsuit, we I am confident that I can obtain all wireless mail patent licenses from NTP for free. "

Eric said: "But this will definitely take time?"

"Yes, according to the process of hearing similar cases, it takes at least one year for us to obtain authorization for free. But if Nokia initiates an acquisition from BlackBerry at the same time, it will arouse NTP alert, this process will definitely take longer," Meyer said here, after a pause, he directly said: "So, the best way is to acquire. The patents held by NTP are not yet widely used. The purchase of this company probably only needs 6 million USD. If we behave too eagerly, we must pay a considerable premium, and the final transaction price may be from 8 million to 10 million USD. "

The acquisition of less than 10 million USD is completely insignificant for Eric's current net worth.

However, this matter cannot be so measured.

Even if there is no previous memory, whether or not to win the patent of NTP will be very important for the future layout of BlackBerry. Meyer clearly sees this, and will only mention it in front of Eric.

"Then let Nokia buy this company as soon as possible," Eric thought about it and quickly made a decision: "On the RIM side, you can slow down a bit and wait another two or three months."

According to the current eruption trend in the technology stock market, the Nasdaq index is estimated to only last for another two or three months. By then, technology stocks will plummet, and RIM will certainly be able to escape. After that, the acquisition will not only save a considerable amount of money, but also obviously easier to succeed. "

Meyer nodded and added immediately: "It is best to use a shell company to initiate an acquisition of NTP."

Eric smiled and said: "I sometimes can't think of these details, you can decide for yourself."

Meyer responded, and bowed his head to record on a pocket memo.

Eric was sitting at the desk, looking at the girl in the OL suit who was standing opposite to write seriously, and suddenly felt sentimental, and said warmly and judo: "Mary, it's nice to have you by my side."

Meyer's movements were written, and although he didn't look up, his face was obviously covered with ruddy.

I quickly wrote a few more words on the palm memo. The female assistant looked up at Eric, turned around, and left the study.

Four hours later, the Boeing 747 landed at Ventura Airport.

Although it is still working time, Katzenberg personally came to pick up the airport with Carolyn.

After the party greeted each other, they got on the bus. Although the two sides have been in close communication during this time, Katzenberg ca n’t wait to talk about the latest affairs.

"There are at least three forces behind the eavesdropping incident, but so far, only the tail of the Tiger Fund has been caught. I and Ian have been discussing the company ’s security issues recently, including the monitoring system and confidentiality regulations. And security personnel. Eric, are n’t you letting Carter build a separate bodyguard team? I thought, instead of handing over the security issues of the Firefly system to outsiders, we should do it ourselves and set up a special security company to do all we need All of these businesses are included to serve the entire Firefly system. "

Eric listened to the words of Katzenberg and noticed that the Carter Moen who was driving in the front row could n’t help looking at the rearview mirror and smiled: “Carter, what do you think?”

"Boss, although I really want to take this responsibility. But, frankly, if I want to be big, I might not be able to do it."

Eric nodded and said to the Katzenberg beside him: "In fact, the key to this matter is to find a person who is trustworthy and capable enough, although this company can be upgraded to be directly responsible to me. Degree, but the specific things still have to be done by professional people. The goal of the Firefly system is too large, we blindly go to find people, we may be taken advantage of. "

"You can let the headhunting company find some candidates first, and then we will pick them slowly," Katzenberg said: "In any case, this is definitely better than giving things to outsiders."

"That's it," Eric also agreed: "I will first let Kelly come up with a plan, which departments need to be established, and budget, etc. If you have any suggestions, you can also tell me directly . "

"So, Viacom," after talking about it, Katzenberg said: "Eric, what are you going to do?"

"I have been reading the Viacom Group ’s financial reports in recent years. The biggest feeling is that Viacom ’s business territory has been expanding rapidly over the years, but this company is declining overall. Like Blockbuster, Viacom was bought This video tape rental chain store spent more than 8 billion USD, but in just a few years, the company's market value has shrunk to the current 3billion USD. Although the pure video tape industry is rapidly declining, but gradually replaced by DVD home The entertainment market has been expanding rapidly. Last year, the output value of the entire home entertainment market was close to 20billion USD, almost three times that of Hollywood North America Box Office. However, the market share of Blockbuster slipped from 45% at the peak to 25% now. Do you know where the problem is? "

Katzenberg would like to say, "Redstone?"

"Yes, Redstone," Eric nodded and said: "Redstone is too old to keep up with the times. More importantly, he still refuses to delegate his power to the Manager people below, and has kept all the power of Viacom tight. Holding it in your hands, this is the root of Viacom's decline. In my opinion, Redstone is like a founding king who can conquer good wars in ancient times. Although he has laid down a huge territory, he does not have the ability to govern a country. At the same time, he is unwilling to give power to those officials who have the ability to govern the country. Then, the result of this 'state' can only be to decline. "

The two old mans of Hollywood, in the view of Eric, Murdoch is much stronger than Redstone. This is also the reason why the business of Fox is still very good despite the rapid decline of News Corp ’s fundamental paper media business.

Compared to this, Redstone has become a tyrannical tyrant.

In the original time and space, Paramount made a big effort to get rid of the other party for a "Mission: Impossible" series and Cruise. This actually reflected the decline of Paramount and even Viacom from another aspect.

For the benefit of a movie, a Hollywood giant has been reduced to venturing with stars, even the first-line superstar, which is too cheap. What's even cheaper is that after getting out of breath, I have to put down my body and continue to cooperate with each other.

If Katzenberg understands, but quickly said: "Eric, I know you are very angry about this matter recently, but it is simply not realistic to push Redstone down. Although the Redstone family does not absolutely hold shares in Viacom , But has more than half of the voting rights of this company. "

"I didn't think so," Eric shook his head, a sneer in the corner of his mouth, and said: "Think about this scene, an old king is defending his throne, but he can only watch his kingdom collapse , Is it tragic enough, do you feel epic? "

Katzenberg felt a trace of coolness all over his body and nodded subconsciously: "So what are you going to do?"

Eric shook his head: "Don't worry, wait until" Iron Man "is released."

It is important to fight the enemy, but the most important thing is to save yourself first.

Right now "Iron Man" is what Eric is most concerned about. This Marvel Cinematic Universe opening piece is very important for the future film layout of Firefly Pictures. Eric does not intend to cut out at this critical moment. After all, "Iron Man" will take a few days As for the release, some things only need to wait another week or two at most.

Back to Cliff Peak Manor, Los Angeles is just over two o'clock in the afternoon. Katzenberg still has work to do. I will leave soon after sitting for a while.

The villa is still empty and deserted. The girl has not returned from Australia. Elizabeth and Julia have already returned. Eric just received her call from the car.

Send Katzenberg, Eric back to the sofa near the glass curtain wall of the villa to sit down and stretch your body at will. A series of recent incidents are coming, Eric has accumulated a deep sense of exhaustion in his heart. At this time, he returned home and looked at the Bihai Blue Sky outside the curtain wall, but his mood was a lot easier.

Carolyn and Meyer have n’t left yet, they are helping Eric to sort their luggage.

After a while, Carolyn came over with a pot of coffee, put it down on the coffee table next to Eric, and quietly leaned over to sit next to him and said, "Eric, Aunt said he plans to come to Los Angeles next week."

Eric has some doubts: "Huh?"

"Last time, it was in London. A few days after I came home, my aunt suddenly ran over and asked me something about you."

Eric understands that it should be the day when he handed that laptop to Olivia, saying: "Did she say something?"

"Aunt didn't say," Carolyn shook his head and said, "She just told me that she will come over next week."

Eric thought about it for a while, and it was a little unclear, so I nodded and said, "I know."