Rebirth of America, this is my time

"So - our digital disc project has now encountered a fatal obstacle?"

March 23, Tokyo time, Sony headquarters.

As soon as he got off the plane, Norio Ohga immediately returned to the company and reported the situation of the outing to Sony's current president Akio Morita. After listening to the twists and turns of the process, Akio Morita immediately pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, his dark eyes filled with solemnity.

"Yes."

The president's inquiry made Norio Ohga nodded seriously and said: "Although Philips is willing to cooperate with us to jointly develop a digital disc and jointly establish a universal standard for digital discs, the sudden appearance of Destiny Game rejected my invitation. , unwilling to join the alliance.”

"Since Destiny Games has never disclosed its development progress, we don't know exactly how far they have progressed in development and whether they have an advantage. But now, their development progress is no longer the most important thing. It really puts us in a dilemma. Passively, they proactively obtained the patent.”

Norio Ohga pursed his lips.

It seems to be organizational language, but it is more like trying to explain the seriousness of the matter clearly.

"President, according to our previous plan, after establishing the universal standard for digital optical discs, we will first sell optical disc products locally. If the response is good, we will export them. This will not only test the popularity of the products, but also At the same time, it can also reduce unnecessary patent expenses for us.”

"but--"

"Not now."

"Although we can still sell optical disc products locally, and we can even gain a certain market share with the music company in our hands, but blocked by patents, we have no way to sell our products to North America. Once the products cannot be sold to North America, …”

"Then what's the point of developing this product?"

Norio Ohga looked at Akio Morita helplessly.

And Akio Morita also understood what he meant.

Although the current domestic economy is growing rapidly and all major industries have even reached the number one position in the world, America is, after all, the largest economy in the world and the largest single market at the moment. If a product cannot be sold to North America, it will be a big loss. As a result, it lost 20% of the global market share.

For most companies in the world, this kind of thing is unnecessary, because 99% of the companies in the world are unable to carry out cross-border trade, but for Sony...

This is absolutely unacceptable!

Because Sony has been cultivating the North American market since its establishment!

Half of their famous products, portable semiconductor radios made with Bell Labs' transistor patents, come from North America;

The same goes for Trinitron TVs. For the same product, they can earn higher profits in North America.

Not only that, in order to develop the North American market, Akio Morita even led his family to move directly to North America ten years ago and settle down, growing together with Sony North America.

When 20 to 30 percent of Sony's annual revenue comes from North America...

Can’t a product enter the North American market?

Then wouldn't this cost them their lives?

"So, is there no solution to this matter?" Akio Morita crossed his arms, leaned back on the chair, and said, "It should be too late for us to get authorization now, right?"

"You said before that Destiny Games only obtained a patent license instead of directly purchasing the patent. This fact means that the patent owner has a strong desire to make a profit. Therefore, as long as we can obtain the patent, we can still Selling digital discs in North America.”

"The most it can do is - pay more money."

"And money is the least important thing at this point, right?"

The president's rhetorical question made Norio Ohga nod his head, "Of course."

But the next second, Norio Ohga said: "But obtaining the patent is not the most important thing now. If Destiny Games is unwilling to reach a consensus on standards with us, then it will be useless even if we obtain the patent, because of the confusing standards It will make digital discs lose their significance in promotion."

"More importantly, if Destiny Games or Ethan Jones forcefully rejects all our technologies, then even if we sell digital discs first, even if we get the patent, we will not be able to promote our own standards. because--"

Speaking of this, Norio Ohga sighed.

The memory that popped up in an instant made him feel that the matter was extremely difficult.

Perhaps Ethan feels that he is strong enough with patent barriers, but in many cases, personal vision is limited, especially when there are too many industries around him.

On the plane back home, Norio Ohga carefully studied the information on Destiny Game, and then he discovered that Ethan Jones's will might really dominate the establishment of optical disc standards.

Because all his industries can promote the development of optical discs.

Let’s not talk about home consoles in the gaming field and Apple computers in the personal computer industry, because Sony and Philips of the Netherlands have not developed the step of freely storing data on optical discs. In this case, even if the team hired by Ethan Jones No matter how awesome he is, he can't be so far ahead of them.

As for the entertainment industry, Ethan Jones rewrote the rules of Hollywood just last month.

This, that is the most deadly thing at the moment.

"Destiny Pictures is now a member of the American Film Association. Although the American Film Association has not disclosed their membership status, according to Philips, in order to appease Ethan Jones and prevent him from making the matter bigger , several major Hollywood giants paid a heavy price."

"There are currently eight members of the American Motion Picture Association, and Ethan Jones alone holds four votes. Of the remaining four, Warner and MGM are indeed his opponents, but Columbia and Paramount are It’s hard to say, but judging from the current situation…”

"They will most likely side with Ethan Jones."

"Because infringing on the interests of Warner and MGM will not bring big consequences. No matter how angry Warner and MGM are, it is still a struggle in the business field, but if Ethan Jones is angered? Who? I don’t know what he will do next time.”

"After all, every time he fought back before, it was beyond the scope of normal people's thinking."

"No normal businessman would stand up to him when he flipped the table and stopped playing as soon as he took a loss."

"In this case, if Ethan Jones doesn't relent, who can get involved in the formulation of North American optical disc standards? You know, the Hollywood giants are the largest consumers of optical discs, and they still have uncut relations with those music companies. connection."

"When Ethan Jones said he wanted people to use their own standards..."

"Even if Sony and Philips unite, we will have no advantage in North America."

"Or..."

Norio Ohga smiled bitterly and said: "In the global market, we don't have much advantage."

"President, you have also seen the wave of "Star Wars" set off around the world. No country is immune to the tsunami of public opinion it triggered. Everyone is looking forward to George Lucas's second movie. In this case Next, if Hollywood continues to produce similar movies, then Ethan Jones will be able to take advantage of Hollywood's global expansion to bring the disc standard to the world."

"Not to mention, he now supports Roy Disney."

"You know, if it weren't for Disney's infighting, they would have promoted park plans in Asia and Europe. Their influence on children is unparalleled, and when Disney's projects are all based on Ethan Jones standards …Who do we sell our CDs to?”

"We can only develop a little in our own country."

This fact made Akio Morita frown.

If Ethan Jones has advantages in all three aspects: law, market, and content...

Then there is no point in fighting this battle at all.

Or rather——

If this deal is too small...

If you do it, it's better not to do it.

After a moment of silence, Akio Morita said solemnly: "Are you really optimistic about the CD project?"

"Yes." Norio Ohga nodded, "If we can win it, it will definitely bring us huge benefits, because it can be applied in multiple scenarios, for example -"

"car."

Norio Ohga counted on his fingers.

"The car's on-board tape player can be replaced with a CD player."

"Users will enjoy higher quality music."

"For another example -"

"Home Player."

“With their large capacity, they can meet more needs from users.”

"Currently, two laser discs on the market need to carry the content of a movie, but only one digital disc is enough, which can bring huge convenience to the public."

"For example -"

"Portable players, storage for personal computers."

“It can be used in all these areas.”

"It has a very broad prospect and can definitely leverage a tens of billions market."

"So you think optical storage is more promising than magnetic storage?" Akio Morita asked.

Not only that, he also emphasized: "We will also launch our own music player this year."

"It's on tape."

"Uh-" Norio Ohga thought for a while and said, "I can't answer this question."

"I can only say that from the current situation, researching optical storage is more beneficial to us. Because there are few opponents and the threshold is low, everyone is just starting out, and there is no real barrier. Even if-"

“There may be a front-runner suddenly emerging in this industry.”

"Okay." Akio Morita tapped his index finger on the table to express his understanding, "Then continue studying."

"As for Ethan Jones's matter—"

Akio Morita pondered for a while and said, "I will make an appointment with the president of Nintendo."

"To find out how Nintendo has always been closely associated with Destiny."

"It would be best if everyone could sit down and talk, but if the talks fail..."

"Just touch it."

Akio Morita made the decision, "We are not the Sony we were 30 years ago."

"Our country is no longer in the same state as it was 30 years ago."

"Back then we needed American technology, but now -"

"If you can't say no to those powerful powers, what's the point of development over the years?"

"Besides, it's not like we don't have advantages, right?"

"We still have a good cooperative relationship with Columbia Records."

“Our music company is a joint venture with them.”

"Coupled with Philips who are willing to cooperate, they also have PolyGram..."

"From a global strategic perspective, we have the possibility of winning."

The president's words made Norio Ohga sigh in relief.

As long as the other party doesn't cut off the CD project team, that's good news for him.

After all, what Ethan Jones said that day was really irritating.

Bowing and saying goodbye, after Norio Ohga left, Akio Morita also called his secretary and asked him to contact Nintendo. He wanted to meet the old money in his country.

When the news reached Hiroshi Yamauchi, who was on vacation in Hokkaido, he waved his hand to the secretary who reported the news, "Reply to Sony, I will go to Tokyo as a guest in three days."

"Then, you call Julis, the chairman of the board of supervisors of our chip production company, and tell her that the president of Sony has come to see me, and she will pass the news to her boss."

"Hi -" the secretary who received the order bowed in response.

As he left, Hiroshi Yamauchi, who was taking a bath, also laughed.

Looking up at the blue sky, he was very happy at the moment.

"Oh - this is really a blessing from God -"

"Ethan Jones always gets into trouble whenever we do something?"

"Ha ha ha ha--"

Ethan is actually very aware of Hiroshi Yamauchi's happiness.

When he received the call from Julis, he knew that Hiroshi Yamauchi wanted to tell him that Sony was unwilling to give in and might continue to have a stalemate with him until the end.

This fact made Ethan chuckle and shake his head.

Since the opponent is not convinced, then beat them out!

When this idea came up, Ethan summoned Ballmer and said, "Call Robert Hall and tell him that I hope to see a compact disc audio player that can be held in your hand within two years."

"Within three years, I hope to see a normal-sized compact disc video player."

"In four years I hope he can make a free save."

"R\u0026D funding is not a problem, and I believe he has the ability."

"Then, you call David Geffen, the chairman of Destiny Music, and tell him that I hope he can develop his Geffen Records in the shortest possible time."

"If he thinks any musician is good, he will sign him directly."

"Okay boss," Steve Ballmer noted, nodding.

And just when Ethan was about to wave him out to do errands, a figure suddenly appeared in his mind. This situation made him speak directly, "Steve, do you know Michael Jackson?"

"?" Ballmer was stunned for a moment and said, "I know, a relatively popular African-American singer."

"I heard that he has collaborated with Quincy Jones and is preparing to release a new album?"

"Just this year?"

"Oh - it seems you really like the entertainment industry." Ethan smiled and said: "Since you have heard his name, do you know which company he is in now?"

"It seems like it's under Columbia's Epic Records?"

"Is it difficult to dig him out?"

"???" Ballmer couldn't understand the sudden question.

But he still answered the boss's question truthfully, "Uh - I don't know."

"Hahaha——" The sincere words made Ethan laugh out loud, waved his hand and said: "Tell David Geffen to find a way to poach Michael Jackson."

"I have only one request."

"That would be to get Michael Jackson signed to Destiny Music, not his Geffen Records."

"You know?"

"Yeah~" Ballmer nodded.

Although he didn't understand why the boss did this, but——

That's not important, right?

If a person wins once, it may be luck, if he wins twice, it may be God's favor, but if he wins three times or four times, it only proves that the winner knows why he wins.

As he left, Ethan leaned back on the boss's chair with ease.

Although Destiny Music is now empty, David Geffen is no vegetarian.

Although Destiny Music has nothing now, Ethan Jones understands who is awesome.

If only they could snag Michael Jackson...

Sony and Philips have an edge in music?

Ah--

Die to me!

When Sony chose to fight, the first confrontation with digital discs ended with Ethan Jones' victory, at least that's what Ethan himself thought.

And just as he was thinking that the next confrontation would not start until next year at the earliest, and in the following time he could enjoy the hard-earned silence and focus on the game...

At four o'clock in the morning on March 28th, Eastern Time, Pennsylvania -

Lighted up early.