The news of a compression algorithm shook the entire Internet industry, and almost every company involved is closely watching the progress of the matter.

Even Internet content providers that have nothing to do with Internet access services are inevitably tracking this information. After all, changes in Internet speed not only bring about changes in the speed of opening web pages, but also determine the form in which Internet content is presented. Faster internet speeds mean more and more sophisticated means of expression.

Although SBC's main business is telephone network services, the Internet is developing so rapidly that they naturally cannot remain indifferent. While it may be difficult for other companies to investigate and verify this information, it is not difficult for Bell Labs to test an algorithm for its technical prowess.

After determining that the compression algorithm was indeed effective, SBC quickly asked the Seattle branch to retrieve network access records and analyze the relevant login data.

Facts that other companies need to deduce from clues are stored on SBC's servers. They could almost easily find out who made the post. What's more, Hoffman, the head of the network department in the Seattle area, can be regarded as almost half of the party, and the details of the situation were quickly grasped by the company's top management.

Although there is no shortage of bureaucratic SBCs in large companies, they do have a unique advantage in this matter. They are no less aware of the advantages of this algorithm than others. Even more than the current ISP service providers.

In fact, SBC has been looking for an opportunity to break into the Internet access service market, but the three ISPs, led by AOL, have firmly grasped this market. The original history. Until broadband became widespread, SBC had been renamed AT&T. Only then did they gradually squeeze them out. AOL was forced to transform into an Internet content provider, buying other companies such as Netscape and ICQ to survive. Prodigy and Compuserve weren't so lucky. Eventually, they became the dust of history.

It can be said that the SBC has been waiting for a long time and is looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Hoffman woke up the next morning and was instructed by the company's top brass before he had even left the house.

"In any case, you have to get a patent for this algorithm. This is crucial for the company's next step in the market of ISP service providers, and I hope you can seize the opportunity. ”

"What about the price? If this technique is really so important, the other party's asking price will probably not be less. Hoffman said with some concern.

"If you are less than 10 million, the company will give you a 10% commission on how much money you can save."

Hoffman thought about it, and his heart suddenly became hot. This is much more lucrative than taking kickbacks from communications engineering.

He swore an oath and put down the phone. If this thing is done well, the profit will definitely be not small, but now it is the change of host and guest. I just made things difficult for people yesterday, and if I ask to go back today, things will definitely not be easy.

However, he was able to get to where he is in the SBC, of course, not only by eating kickbacks. He can also make due decisions when needed, and at least he still has the ability to do things.

"Go to the Courtyard by Marriott." Hoffman flagged down a taxi, he wasn't going to drive his own car, that would be too conspicuous. If this patent really is that important. Then there must be no number of pairs of eyes around the Courtyard by Marriott.

Zhou Shuo didn't know that his news had already attracted the attention of so many people. When he saw Hoffman, he was even stunned.

"Mr. Hoffman?" He asked a little strangely: "Is there any new progress on the line?" ”

Zhou Shuo still has a glimmer of hope for this. It's not impossible for Hoffman to change his mind. This is also 1995, three or five years later, a 10G private line is just a thing, and it is not a matter at all. Maybe the SBC will suddenly figure it out at some point. What about the operation of the Internet business in advance? If you're lucky, you might be able to catch up with the first private line customer or something.

"So to speak." Hoffman nodded. "If you can agree to SBC's terms, we can reach a partnership agreement on the special line for two million dollars," he said. ”

"You may be seated. Mr. Hoffman. Zhou Shuo was a little happy when he heard his words, poured him a cup of coffee and asked, "I don't know what the conditions are?" ”

"Mr. Zhou has a patent for a compression algorithm, and SBC is somewhat interested in it." Hoffman took the coffee handed by Zhou Shuo, owed a debt, and said.

"You mean the data transmission compression algorithm I announced on the network yesterday?" Zhou Shuo frowned, he really didn't expect the efficiency of the Americans to be so high. I posted last night, and someone came to my door this morning. It can be seen that online privacy has always been an illusion of people.

He thought for a moment and said, "In what way does the SBC want to be authorized, and what conditions does it intend to come up with in exchange?" ”

"Authorized?" Hoffman put down the coffee cup, shook his head with a smile and said, "SBC doesn't need to be authorized, what we need is this patent." We can build a 10G network private line for you for two million dollars, and the price is to give this patent to the SBC. ”

"In other words, the SBC is only willing to pay two or three million for this patent?" Zhou Shuo took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in his heart.

SBC's abacus is really sophisticated, it seems that they paid three million for this compression algorithm patent on the surface, but in fact, they didn't pay a penny at all. Two million dollars to build a network line, they may still make money. These three million are just a small amount of money, but they can get Zhou Shuo's patent in vain.

"Three million dollars, that's a lot of money!" Hoffman shook his fingers to correct Zhou Shuo's misrepresentation, and said: "I investigated the Northern Dynasty Computer Company, this is your profit for a year, don't be too greedy." ”

"I don't think I can accept the price, and Mr. Hoffman, you have made a mistake, I am not going to sell this patent." Zhou Shuo hugged his chest and said steadily.

Hoffman was stunned for a moment, then said with a smile: "If Mr. Zhou is not satisfied with the price, we can talk about it again." There's nothing you can't sell, it's just that the price isn't right. ”

"Well, that's true." Zhou Shuo nodded and said, "If SBC can really come up with a price that makes me happy, I can't consider it." ”

"That's right, haggling is a common thing in business. If you are not satisfied with my price, you can also tell me your price. Hoffman breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, he recalled the tone of the company's senior management when he assigned him a task in the morning, and he was really afraid that Zhou Shuo would directly flip the table.

"Then I'll tell me about my pricing criteria." Zhou Shuo took a pen and paper from the side and said as he wrote.

"A modem is now selling for about $40 to $100, and my patent accounts for 2.5 percent of the cost. If I charge $2.5 for a license, there are 25 million Internet users in the United States, and it will certainly not be a problem to grow to 40 million in the next two to three years. In other words, the patent can generate at least $100 million in profits. Even if you remove the promotion and operating costs, and then transfer some of the profits to the SBC, I think $70 million is a more reasonable price, right? ”

"Seventy million!" Hoffman almost squirted the coffee out of his mouth and said indignantly: "This is impossible, SBC has never paid such a large price for a patent." What's more, it's hard to say how long your patent will have a lifespan, and maybe it won't take a year or two for alternative technologies to appear. ”

"Then you can buy a patent license." Zhou Shuo shrugged his shoulders and threw the pen in his hand aside.

Hoffman's face kept changing colors, gritted his teeth and said: "SBC can build a 10G network private line for you for free, which is sincere enough, right?" ”

Although he also felt that Zhou Shuo's calculation might not have become a fact, he still felt that it was just a means of bargaining for him. How easy is it to promote a technique? If a compression algorithm wants to be applied to modem products, it is by no means possible for one or two companies to achieve.

Even if a modem using this compression algorithm is produced, it would be useless if the ISP provider does not support it. The speed of the Internet is like the barrel principle, not based on the fast end, but on the slow end. Using a 56Kbps modem is also useless if you don't have an ISP provider that provides 56Kbps access services.

For this compression algorithm to be useful, it must be an industry standard. It is necessary to unify not only modem manufacturers, but also the entire Internet with data transmission rules. How can such an industry influence be achieved by a Chinese? Hoffman believes that Zhou Shuo alone will never be able to make this compression algorithm the industry standard.

Zhou Shuo sighed, shook his head and said, "It seems that the difference between our asking prices is too big, and there is no need to continue talking." ”

Hoffman narrowed his eyes, looked at Zhou Shuo with sharp eyes and said, "Mr. Zhou, you have to think about it." Without strong strength and extensive influence, it may be difficult for your compression algorithm patents to be promoted and monetized. But your company project can't afford to wait, without the support of our SBC, your software will never be able to go online. ”

"Hehe, well, let's see." Zhou Shuo picked up the coffee cup in front of him and said indifferently. (To be continued......)