I’m in Hollywood

Due to cyber attacks and eavesdropping incidents that occurred a few days ago, the Firefly system has been re-arranging various aspects of security measures for a while, ensuring that email and mobile communications are the two most important things.

It happens that RIM from Canada has just signed a cooperation agreement with Sprint, a telecom operator that invests in Firefly. Kelly has recommended eric's later famous BlackBerry to Eric.

RIM released the BlackBerry and Sprint's CDMA network, which can meet the information security requirements of both e-mail and mobile communications. Eric decided to promote the phone within the Firefly system.

At the same time, Eric also plans to acquire the BlackBerry production company RIM as the mobile phone sub-brand of Nokia's main business security field.

Compared with Nokia, which has exceeded $100 billion in market value in recent months, RIM's recent share price has also risen sharply, but its current market value is only more than $260 million. In any case, buying RIM will be a very cost-effective business.

Moreover, combined with the information in the hands and the information in the memory, Eric also found that the BlackBerry has been in the same situation, almost exactly the same as the MP3 player.

In the past, these two products have had very mature technology accumulation before the large-scale promotion. However, because of the missed opportunities for the best commercial promotion, after two years of hard work, the two products have just become popular, and they are quickly being squeezed out of the market by new electronic products. MP3 players are being phased out by various types of music phones, and BlackBerrys are being phased out by more sophisticated touch-screen smartphones.

Now, since Eric can clearly see the market potential of the BlackBerry, there is no need to wait for the opportunity of the US government's high-level use of the BlackBerry to receive disaster site information in real time during the 9/11 period. With the powerful channel and resource advantages of the Firefly system, You can promote your BlackBerry in advance.

Moreover, if there is more time to complete the layout of the BlackBerry and related peripheral services, even if the smartphone era comes early, Eric believes that the high-end business and security of the BlackBerry will not decline as quickly as ever.

After picking up the documents that Meyer handed over, Eric asked casually: "What are the problems?"

“The most important thing is the patent,” Meyer replied. “Nokia’s evaluation of the BlackBerry found that the phone infringed at least 20 patents of the company. Moreover, the wireless mail push function of the BlackBerry, the core patent remains. Not in RIM's hands, but in a Virginia-based company called NTP. RIM's current size is small and has not caught too much attention. However, if we buy BlackBerry, then NTP, etc. The patent holders will certainly file a patent lawsuit and may even cause the BlackBerry to be banned in the federal government."

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

In 2006, after six years of sawing lawsuits, NTP eventually passed a series of wireless mail patents, from RIM's almost cunning claims to more than 600 million US dollars in huge patent compensation fees.

Looking at RIM's market capitalization of less than 300 million US dollars, even if history does not change, for the 2006 RIM company, the $600 million patent compensation fee is definitely a hurt.

Of course, now I think about it carefully. The $600 million in compensation must have the bias of the federal government.

Although the focus of RIM business in North America, but still a Canadian company, but NTP is a US company, the federal government naturally can not be to outsiders, RIM wants to continue to maintain business in the United States, can only eat this super dumb loss.

After thinking about it for a moment, Eric said: "Is the e-mail patent not in our hands, Yahoo or Firefly Electronics, is there no research on wireless mail technology?"

"Yes, but not as comprehensive as NTP." Meyer nodded and continued: "Wireless mail has some technical overlap with e-mail, but it is not a derivative of e-mail technology. NTP was established in 1992. The registration time of the other patent is almost the same as the registration time of the e-mail patent held by Yahoo. I have consulted the patent management department 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 have confidence. Free access to all wireless mail patent licenses from NTP."

Eric said: "But it definitely takes time?"

"Yes, according to the trial process of similar cases, we want to get the license for free, it will take at least one year. But if Nokia launches the acquisition to BlackBerry at the same time, it will cause NTP to be alert, this process will definitely take longer," Meyer Having said that, paused, and said directly: "So, the best way is to acquire. The patents held by NTP have not yet been widely used. It takes about $6 million to buy this company. Of course, if We are too eager to pay, and we definitely have to pay a considerable premium, and the final transaction price may be between $8 million and $10 million."

The acquisition of less than $10 million is completely insignificant for Eric’s current presence.

However, this matter is not so measured.

Even if there is no previous memory, whether to take the NTP patent is crucial for the future layout of the BlackBerry. Meyer apparently also saw this, and it will be mentioned especially in front of Eric.

"Then let Nokia buy this company as soon as possible," Eric thought for a moment, and quickly decided: "RIM side, you can slow down a bit, wait another two or three months."

According to the current outbreak of the technology stock market, the Nasdaq index is estimated to last for another two or three months. At that time, the technology stocks plummeted across the board, and RIM will certainly not escape. When the acquisition is initiated, not only can there be a considerable amount of money left, but it is obviously easier to succeed. ”

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

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

Meyer responded with a bow and began to record on a pocket memo.

Eric sat at his desk and looked at the girl standing in the opposite OL suit, and suddenly he felt it. He said, "Mary, it’s good to have you by my side."

Meyer wrote a movement, although he did not look up, his face was obviously covered with a layer of ruddy.

Quickly wrote a few more on the palm memo, and the female assistant looked up at Eric and turned away from the study.

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

Although not yet off duty, Kasenberger personally picked up the plane with Caroline.

After a group of people chilled, they got on the bus. Although the two sides have always had close communication during this time, Kasenberg couldn't wait to talk about a series of recent events.

"There are at least three forces in this eavesdropping. However, I still only caught the tail of the Tiger Fund. I and Ian have been discussing security issues for the company recently, including monitoring systems, confidentiality regulations and security personnel. Eric, are you not let Carter set up a separate bodyguard team? I just think that instead of handing over the security of the firefly system to outsiders, it’s better for us to set up a special security company to include all of this business. Go in and serve the entire firefly system."

Eric listened to Kasenberg's words and noticed that Carter Moen, who was driving in the front row, couldn't help but look 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 Kasenberg, who was next to him: "In fact, the key to this matter is to find someone who is trustworthy and capable enough, although the level of the company can be raised directly to me personally. The degree of responsibility, but the specific thing is still to have a professional person to do. The goal of the firefly system is too big, we blindly go to find people, it is likely to be smashed into the air."

"We can let the headhunting company find some candidates, and we will pick it up slowly," Kasenberg said. "In any case, this is definitely better than giving things to outsiders."

"That's it," Eric agreed. "I will let Kelly come up with a plan. What departments need to be established, budget, and so on. If you have any suggestions, you can talk to me directly." ”

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

“I have been watching the Viacom Group’s earnings for the last few years. The biggest feeling is that Viacom’s business landscape has been expanding rapidly over the years, but the company as a whole is declining. Just like Baishida. Viacom bought the video rental chain and spent more than $8 billion, but in just a few years, the company’s market capitalization has shrunk to the current $3 billion. Although the videotape industry is The home entertainment market, which has gradually declined, but has been gradually replaced by DVDs, has been expanding rapidly. Last year, the output value of the entire home entertainment market was close to 20 billion US dollars, almost three times that of Hollywood North American box office. But the market share of Blockbuster It slipped from 45% of its peak period to 25% now. Do you know where the problem is?"

Kasenberg didn't want to say it: "Lei Shidong?"

"Yes, Lei Shidong," Eric nodded. "Leestone is too old to keep up with the times. More importantly, he still refuses to give power to the following managers. All the power of Mum is tightly held in his own hands. This is the root of Viacom’s decline. In my opinion, Lei Shidong is like a founding monarch who can be a good war in ancient times. Territory, but not enough to govern a country's ability, but also not to give power to those who have the ability to govern the country. Then, the final result of this 'state' can only be toward decline."

The two old men in Hollywood, in Eric's view, Murdoch is much stronger than Lei Shidong. This is why, although News Corp's fundamental paper-based business has declined rapidly, Fox's business is still very good. In comparison, Lei Shidong has completely become a tyrant who has just used himself.

In the original time and space, Paramount fell out of the "Mission Impossible" series with Cruise, and also made a big move to ruin the other side, which actually reflected Paramount and Viacom from another aspect. The decline.

A Hollywood giant has fallen to the star for the benefit of a movie, even if it is a superstar, it is too cheap. The more price is lost, and I have to put down my body to cooperate with each other.

If Kasenberg is aware of it, he quickly said: "Eric, I know that you are very angry about this matter recently. However, it is unrealistic to push Lei Shidong down. Although the Lei Shidong family is Not counting Viacom's absolute shareholding, but owning more than half of the company's voting rights."

"I didn't think so," Eric shook his head, his mouth sneer, and said: "Think of this scene, an old king is watching his own throne, but he can only watch his kingdom collapse step by step. Not enough tragic, is there a sense of epic?"

Kasenberg felt a little coolness around his body and nodded subconsciously: "What are you going to do?"

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

The key to fighting the enemy is to save yourself first.

At the moment, the most important thing is Iron Man. The opening of this Marvel movie universe is very important for Firefly Pictures. Eric does not intend to make extra money at this critical moment. After all, Iron Man has It will be released in a few days, and some things only need to wait a week or two.

Back to the sharp corner manor, Los Angeles is only two o'clock in the afternoon, Kasenberg has work to do, and will leave soon after sitting for a while.

The villa is still deserted, and Shantou has not returned from Australia. They are still on holiday with Joanna. Instead, Elizabeth and Julia have returned, and Eric has just received her call in the car.

After sending away Kasenberg, Eric returned to the sofa on the side of the glass curtain wall of the villa and sat down casually. Recently, a series of incidents came to an end. Eric’s heart finally accumulated a sense of exhaustion and returned home. Looking at the blue sky and blue sky outside the curtain wall, it was finally a lot easier.

Caroline and Mayer have not left yet and are helping Eric to pack their luggage.

After a while, Caroline walked over with a pot of coffee and put it down on the coffee table next to Eric. He quietly came over and sat beside him. "Eric, my aunt said that I plan to come next week." Los Angeles."

Eric has some doubts: "Well?"

"Last time, in London, when I went home, my aunt suddenly ran over and asked something about you."

Eric understood that he should have handed the laptop to Olivia on the day and said, "She, what is it?"

"The aunt did not say," Caroline shook her head and said: "She just told me that she will come over next week."

Eric thought about it and some were unclear. So he could only nod and say, "Well, I know."