America 1982-Chapter 166 - 62: Jumping Ship

"Eighty million?" Jim looked at Robert Molley with incredulity in his eyes, "F*cking eighty million? Are you sure you didn’t accidentally add an extra zero when recording it? And 30% of the shares too?"

Robert Molley stared back at his old friend and shook his head slightly, "Aside from offering this absolutely unattainable condition, they’ve also subtly revealed some information."

Jim narrowed his eyes as though sensing danger, "I hope it’s not what I’m thinking, about Lotus Corporation."

"Delia said they received material from a justice-minded anonymous employee of Lotus Corporation, which contains some software development logs and update plans of Lotus Corporation." Robert took off his glasses, bowed his head, and began to slowly wipe them, avoiding Jim’s gaze as he continued,

"They can provide some data for us to verify, but refuse to provide more detailed content. The Constitution protects the citizen’s right to privacy, and only the court’s staff can obtain authorization when the trial actually begins, and the anonymous person’s identity can be revealed with their consent."

Jim grabbed his groin in a pained expression and then clenched his fist tightly, slamming it onto the desk, "Congratulations to Actor for grabbing Lotus Corporation’s balls! Forcing Lotus Corporation to put their updates and subsequent development on hold and go public... F*ck! I can’t go on! I told those idiots to take precautions! Do they seriously think engineers are incapable of betraying the company?"

"Want to hear something even more explosive?" Robert, still looking down, spoke to Jim, "Through my contacts in the court, I’ve received word that while Actor Corporation was negotiating a settlement with us, the court received one hundred and seventy-six amicus curiae briefs, all from non-profit legal advocacy organizations. They not only all support Actor but are also requesting the court to speed up the handling of this case."

Jim’s eyes widened as he stared at Robert, "Fifteen politicians versus one hundred and seventy-six non-profit organizations, anyone would know if my fifteen political friends get this info after the briefs are submitted, they’ll curse me out with unimaginable obscenities. It’s a beautifully played move. I should thank Actor for being merciful enough to spare my own balls, but it also means that no politician will be willing to accept lobbying from Lotus Corporation unless they’re oblivious to being targeted by one hundred and seventy-six non-profits."

Robert sighed, "They’re playing an open hand, and they’ve bet all their chips, either we give them eighty million and 30%, or we wait for them to countersue, and when that time comes..."

"The software industry giants will have a perfect chance to stand against Lotus Corporation and tear them to shreds in broad daylight." Jim didn’t need Robert to remind him, he picked up the thread himself,

"One hundred and seventy-six non-profit organizations, at least we know the other side isn’t the bait of big corporations but designed this trap themselves. Any fool who falls in won’t be able to get away without being bitten and losing a huge chunk of flesh."

"The thought process behind the precedent they seek is also becoming clear. The United State America may seem to have various clauses in place for intellectual property and patent protection in the computer industry, but in reality, these are just at the state level. Currently, all of the computer industry’s lawsuits related to patents or intellectual property rely on state laws, or on the Supreme Court’s Patent Law precedents and similar rulings as the main basis. They’ll surely rely on the massive support at their backs to bring the case up to the Supreme Court, leveraging their influence to establish a legal precedent because while states may have their own Patent Laws, there isn’t one at the Federal level. You get what I’m saying? This case will certainly be mentioned most in the next five to ten years by both software industry giants and the United States Congress." Robert Molley massaged his temples, put his glasses back on, raised his head, and told Jim.

Jim picked up his cup and took a big drink, finishing it before saying, "Because of this precedent, computer software industry-specific legal clauses were introduced?"

"It’s not just that, Jim. Let me tell you what it means. It means the United States Congress has secured another regulatory authority over state-specific patent laws. Before any specific laws are enacted, this authority will persist. In plain terms, this lawsuit is something that both industry giants and congressional legislators are happy to see because it tells states with the help of the precedent that there’s room to supplement their Patent Laws. Who’s to do it? Of course, it’s Congress. Then, software companies no longer need to consider state laws about patents because they’re not complete, and Congress will be responsible for setting these standards. Until the laws are introduced, similar lawsuits can simply be solved by paying lobbying firms and congressmen to stand by your side. The standards can be introduced first, but the specific legal clauses, I guess, won’t appear for five to ten years. Congress members won’t have the interest to introduce any law until they’ve made enough benefits from the regulatory authority. Both industry giants and congressional members will thank Actor Corporation, which has used Lotus as a sacrifice, successfully helping the real industry giants pave a clear path to function openly with politicians and seize the opportunity to expand. At least until the laws are in place, Congress’ regulatory authority, bestowed by the United States Constitution, is supreme over state laws." Robert explained to Jim why he could already determine this case would be a historical precedent: