Chicago 1990

"Yes."

Young Bronfman looked at the nameplate in front of the questioner, Illinois Senator Durbin, hehe, Illinois... In the Blue Heights of the Midwest, the clean senator who lives in a shared apartment with congressional colleagues in Washington? Antitrust team member? But I got the news early to be wary of you, all the way!

"Uh……"

With a smile on the corner of his mouth, he added: "Strictly speaking, the world’s largest music company is Universal Music, a subsidiary of Seagram Universal, and it will not be officially obtained until January 1 of next year when all mergers and acquisitions with Polygram are completed. This honor. Senator Durbin."

"So does this new company have monopoly concerns?" Durbin asked.

He turned his head, and the lawyer next to him immediately whispered to inform the page number of the document, "If you know the record industry, Senator Durbin, even if the merger with Polygram is completed, the new Universal Music Group The share will be about... and there is no monopoly on the market."

He Shi Shiran said: "At present, other multinational record companies: Sony Columbia, BMG, EMI, Warner Music, etc., each have a market share of about... from high to low. This is an industry with a long history and full competition. There are also a large number of small and medium record companies in Hollywood, including Disney and other media groups."

"Of course I did understand."

Durbin was also looking through the documents there. "I noticed that Universal Music Group and Sony Columbia Records once signed a cooperation document... which you call the Duet Alliance. In the online music market, the record copyrights owned by the two of you together The rate has exceeded 50%, isn't it?"

It's impossible to guard against... Little Bronfman’s brain was down for two seconds, and then the same reaction as Song Ya, first gave Senator Durbin a deep and unhappy look, then turned off the microphone, covered it with his hand, and turned his head again to seek his subordinates. s help.

Both the lawyer and Universal Music President Doug Morris stuffed documents in front of him.

The difference is that this is a public hearing, and the reporter's flashlight flashes a few times during the silence between the questioning parties.

"First of all, this is just a plan that only stays at the preparatory stage. Second, in the Internet field, similar situations are not uncommon. For example, Netscape browser has a market share of 90% or more at its peak."

Little Bronfman organized a good word order to answer and asked, "Aren't we holding a hearing on the Digital Millennium Act?"

"Cough." The lawyer coughed slightly and reminded, "Senator."

"Mr. Senator." He added the honorific statement.

"So for what reason and motivation does Seagram Universal Group oppose the passage of the Digital Millennium Act under the premise that it is about to establish a de facto monopoly in the field of online music copyright?" Senator Durbin has a sharper question than another. .

"I don't understand the logical relationship between the two!"

He became impatient, and quickly and concealed his eyes to communicate with Senator Joseph Lieberman of the Jewish Donkey Party present, "My position is consistent. This bill will harm the interests of industry copyright owners and copyright owners. ."

"Opposing to be evaluated constitutes a monopoly." Doug Morris reminded.

"And I am opposed to the duo alliance being judged to constitute a monopoly. You can't use what I haven't done to ask my sins."

"Senator." The lawyer reminded again.

He held back his breath, "Mr. Senator."

"OK, wait a minute." Senator Durbin also covered the microphone. He should have noticed that his aides were gesturing to remind him next to the rostrum. He signaled that the aides should send the documents he was holding.

The other senators didn't take the opportunity to interrupt, even Joseph Lieberman waited silently with his mouth.

The shutter sound connected at the scene, and a reporter took the opportunity to sneak up to the little Bronfman and take a frontal close-up photo.

Perhaps it was the smell of ignition medicine, and the audience was also commotion.

Little Bronfman's eyes were flashed by the flash, and he raised his hand slightly uncomfortably to block it.

"Quiet, the hearing is still going on." Chairman Senator McKean maintained order.

‘APLUS cited the Fifth Amendment. ’

Durbin opened the file, saw the small note sandwiched by his staff, and put it on his face blankly, "I'm fine."

Didn't take advantage of the other party's growing impetuous mood to take advantage of the victory? McKean was surprised, "Okay, then please the next congressman..."

"Ahem, Mr. Bronfman."

Joseph Lieberman started asking questions about safety that didn't make much trouble. He was always a small curse and a big help. This time it was not a big help but he could smoothly delay the rest of the time.

Little Bronfman gradually relaxed, switched back to a more comfortable sitting position, and looked back triumphantly at idol Barry Diller.

Barry Diller blinked his eyes to express his compliment, and when he turned his head, he instantly changed his face. After observing Senator Durbin’s behavior seriously and secretly for a while, he felt that there was no major problem behind him, so he found an opportunity to quietly leave the meeting place early.

"According to the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, according to the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, my tongue is almost knotted after a word is turned over and over."

On Song Ya's side, the hearing has been over for quite a while. Since it was a closed-door hearing, there were no reporters on the scene and no major troubles. He took off his suit and held it on his shoulders. After shaking hands with the congressmen in a relaxed mood, he prepared to speak back. House, uh, no, back to the airport.

He showed his flexible tongue to Ms. Sloan, Pierre Sutton and others, "It's more tiring than singing rap."

Sloan sneered while Pierre Sutton and the lawyers all laughed sincerely, citing the Fifth Amendment’s refusal to answer congressional inquiries but no concerns about subsequent investigations by law enforcement agencies. This result is absolutely acceptable. As for the Starr report After he was made public, the trouble that led him over there was that he was self-sufficient.

After hearing that the hearing on the young Bronfman’s side was still going on, it seemed that Senator Durbin from Illinois caused him some trouble, and the group returned happily.

The two senators from Illinois have little friendship. One is too old, and the other, Senator Durbin, is not easy to deal with.

When Song Ya took advantage of the opening of the hearing hall door, pretending to be a gentleman, he held Sloan's back waist, and then squeezed it secretly.

"Ten knives," Sloan whispered suddenly.

"..."

Song Ya thought for a while and gritted his teeth, "Okay!" He raised his voice, "Uh, Ms. Sloan waited for us to talk about Littman Media."

"OK."

Hehe.

Unfortunately, things were not as expected. When he left Capitol Hill and was about to get in the car, Sloan was stopped by a white man with a strange face. The two whispered, "Mr. Barry Diller wants to chat with you privately." Sloan returned. report.

"where?"

"Find a suitable place, airport?"

"Ok."

All the way back to the tarmac of the Boeing 757, Barry Diller’s motorcade soon drove in, and Song Ya took Sloan to greet him. “It’s nice to see you Mr. Diller again.”

The two had only met once during the transaction of high-fidelity magazines. Since Sloan was responsible for the entire negotiation process, there was no deep conversation with each other, let alone any friendship. It is more appropriate to say that they are enemies, because Barry Diller is A staunch ally of the little Bronfman.

No matter how much he has made by buying rich three-generation TV stations and other media, at least he has undertaken assets twice before and after, providing Seagram Universal Group with a total of 4.1 billion dollars in capital, making the Polygram acquisition proceed smoothly and greatly. Improved the cash flow of Seagram Universal Group after the merger, and the credit is not small.

The former Hollywood'killer' fought twice with the real media tycoon Lei Shidong. The repeatedly defeated guy showed the red color of the white after being exposed. He fell down and smiled sincerely and kindly. , But don’t be fooled by appearances.

Of course, he shouldn't have money yet.

"I am also very happy, APLUS, Ms. Sloan."

Barry Diller shook hands and pointed to the huge 757, "Is it Paul's?"

"Yes, Mr. Allen temporarily lent me to and from Europe."

Song Ya answered.

"Yeah." Barry Diller hinted, and Sloan returned to the car as well... She pulled the car door and thought about it and then boarded the cabin.

The airport was very windy, and there was a huge noise from the roar of the airplane's engine. Barry Diller put his hand in his pocket and took the initiative to move to the side. The silver hair on the outer circle of the Mediterranean's head was fluttering wildly by the wind.

"Is there something urgent?" Song Ya followed, waiting for him to stand still and asked.

"Your schedule is in a hurry?"

"Yes, my Berlin concert is about to begin."

"Wow...I envy the vitality of your young people first."

Barry Diller sighed, then squinted his eyes and looked at the Boeing 757, "So long story short, APLUS, when will your new album be released?"

"This is a matter between me and the record company."

You have nothing to do with Universal Records, why do you intervene? Song Ya dodges, "We will make decisions based on the market."

"In the year?"

Barry Diller continued his pace of conversation, "I know you are worried about your relationship with Edgar Jr. Don't worry, I will persuade him to cooperate."

White teeth...

Moreover, in front of him was a habitual offender of the empty-glove white wolf, Song Ya became vigilant, "I didn't understand..."

"Your new professional, and a cooperative project in the film industry?"

Barry Diller asked: "There are still two copies of the Blade Warrior series and Universal's release date left. Will there be a series of My Life?"

"Yes, the record is about two plus one."

"I will negotiate with Edgar Jr., and these projects will be well executed."

"Etc., etc……"

Song Ya smiled, "Mr. Diller, as far as I know, you can't influence the Seagram Global Group, and I don't think Mr. Bronfman Jr. will carry out 100% of what you just said."

"This is a good thing for both of you, I will persuade him, with my personality guarantee." Barry Diller said.

"A win-win situation means...I have lost hundreds of millions in market value of Litman Media?"

Is your personality worth so much money? Really, Song Ya asked coldly: "And the case of the Recording Industry Association v. America Music Website is still going on?"

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"Tsk..."

Barry Diller smashed his mouth in distress, retracted his gaze, and looked at Song Ya's eyes, "You won the Digital Millennium Act. I believe that after the general governor approves the bill... there will be a result in October, and the market value will be soon. Don’t you go back? As for the lawsuit, I’ll persuade little Edgar to stop. UU Reading www.uukanshu.com"

"Then I will wait for the result."

Song Ya shrugged, not seeing rabbits and flying eagles is his usual style.

"Well, that's it for the time being? I just want you to know my attitude. I sincerely hope that you and Edgar will be well. The contradiction between you is very ridiculous. This is not the way businessmen do things..."

Barry Diller extended his hand again.

"In short, I must be fine, but I am afraid of being deceived again." Song Ya shook his hand, "or suppressed."

"I see."

Barry Diller watched the young mixed-race star and rich man trot all the way, the tall figure waved to this side from the hatch and disappeared.

"Damnit!"

Suddenly he gritted his teeth and cursed in anger, his face flushed even more red, turned around and strode back to his car, slammed the door, "Damn old fox! Now it's mine to coax children and wipe buttocks!"