News of a compression algorithm actually shocked the entire Internet industry, and almost every related company is closely following the progress of things.

Even Internet content providers that have nothing to do with network access services will inevitably follow information. After all, changes in network speeds not only bring about changes in web page opening speeds, but also determine the form of Internet content being presented. Faster Internet speeds mean more and more refined means of expression.

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

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

The facts that other companies need to infer from clues are stored in SBC's servers. They almost easily find out who posted the post. What's more, Hoffman, the head of the network department in the Seattle area, can almost be considered half of the party involved, and the detailed situation was quickly grasped by the company's senior management.

Although there is no shortage of SBC in large companies' bureaucratic diseases, they are indeed unique and have the advantage in this matter. They do not know less about the advantages of this algorithm than others. They even attach more importance to it than current ISP service providers.

In fact, SBC has been looking for opportunities to enter the Internet access service market. However, three ISPs led by American Online firmly controlled this market. In the original history, it was not until broadband became popular. SBC had been renamed AT&T, and it gradually squeezed them out. American Online was forced to transform into an Internet content provider and acquired other companies such as Netscape and ICQ to survive. Prodigy and Compuserve were not so lucky, and they eventually became the dust of history.

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

Hoffman woke up the next morning and was instructed by the company's senior management before he even left the house.

"Anyway, you must get the patent for this algorithm. This is crucial for the company's next step to get into the market for ISP service providers. I hope you can seize the opportunity."

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

"A company will give you a commission of 10% if it can save less than 10 million yuan."

Hoffman thought about it and felt aroused in his heart. This was much more money than taking rebates from communications projects.

He agreed confidently and put down the phone. The profits will definitely be quite good if this matter is done well, but now it is easy for the host and the guest to be in trouble yesterday. He just asked to go back today, and things will definitely not be easy.

However, he can reach his current position in SBC, of ​​course, not only by taking kickbacks. He can also make the decision he deserves when needed, but he still has the minimum ability to do things.

"Go to the Courtyard Hotel." Hoffman stopped a taxi. He didn't plan to drive his own car, which was too conspicuous. If this patent was really so important, then there must be no more eyes around the Courtyard Hotel.

Zhou Shuo still didn't know that this news from him had attracted so many people's attention. When he saw Hoffman, he was even stunned.

"Mr. Hoffman?" he asked with some surprise: "It's about the line, is there any new progress?"

Zhou Shuo still had a glimmer of hope for this, and it was not impossible for Hoffman to change his mind. This was 1995. It was just a 10G dedicated line three to five years later, and it was nothing. Maybe SBC suddenly figured it out and started operating the Internet business in advance. If he was lucky, he might be able to catch up with the first dedicated line business customer or something.

"So that's it." Hoffman nodded and said, "If you can agree to SBC's terms, we can reach a dedicated line cooperation intention for two million US dollars."

"Please sit down, 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 owns a compression algorithm patent, SBC is somewhat interested in it." Hoffman took the coffee handed over by Zhou Shuo, owed her body, and said.

"Are you talking about the data transmission compression algorithm I published on the Internet yesterday?" Zhou Shuo frowned. He really didn't expect that Americans were so efficient. Someone came to the door this morning when I posted last night. It can be seen that things like network privacy have always been human illusions.

He thought for a while and said, "How do SBC want to obtain authorization and what conditions are planned to exchange it?"

"Authorization?" Hoffman put down his coffee cup, shook his head with a smile and said, "SBC does not need authorization, what we need is this patent. We can build a 10G network dedicated line for you for two million US dollars, at the cost of giving this patent to SBC."

"In other words, 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 exquisite. It seems that they paid three million to buy this compression algorithm patent on the surface, but in fact they didn't pay a penny. They might still make a profit if they build a network dedicated line of two million US dollars. The three million are just a small profit, but they can get Zhou Shuo's patent for nothing.

"Three million US dollars, this is a lot of money!" Hoffman shook his finger and corrected Zhou Shuo's mistake in his statement and said, "I investigated the Northern Dynasties Computer Company. This is your profit for a year. Don't be too greedy."

"I don't think I can accept this price, and Mr. Hoffman, you made a mistake. I don't plan to sell this patent." Zhou Shuo said steadily, holding his chest.

Hoffman was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "If Mr. Zhou is not satisfied with the price, we can discuss it again. There is nothing that cannot be sold, only whether the price is appropriate or not."

"Well, this is true." Zhou Shuo nodded and said, "If SBC can really give me a price that will make me excited, I won't be able to consider it."

"That's right. Bargaining in the business world is very common. If you are not satisfied with my price, you can also talk about your price." Hoffman breathed a sigh of relief. He recalled the tone when the company's senior management assigned him a task in the morning, and was really afraid that Zhou Shuo would directly overturn the table.

"Then let me talk about my pricing standards." Zhou Shuo took a piece of paper and pen from the side and said while writing.

"The price of a modem on the market is around 40 to 100 US dollars, and my patent accounts for 2.5% of the cost is a relatively appropriate proportion. If I charge $2.5 for a license, and the current Internet users in the United States will have 25 million, it will definitely not be a problem to develop to 40 million in the next two or three years. That is to say, the profits that this patent can generate will be at least 100 million US dollars. Even if I remove the promotion and operation costs and then transfer part of the profit to SBC, I think 70 million US dollars is a relatively reasonable price, right?"

"Seventy million!" Hoffman almost sprayed out the coffee in his mouth and said angrily: "This is impossible. SBC has never spent such a large price to buy a patent. Moreover, it is hard to say how much life cycle your patent can have. Maybe alternative technologies will appear in less than a year or two."

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

Hoffman's face kept changing colors, and he gritted his teeth and said, "SBC can build a 10G network dedicated line for you for free. Is this sincere enough, right?"

Although he also felt that Zhou Shuo's calculations might not have become a fact, he still felt that this was just a bargaining method. Isn't it so easy to promote a technology? If a compression algorithm is to be applied to a modem product, it is definitely not something that one or two companies can achieve.

Even if a modem using this compression algorithm is produced, it is useless if the ISP provider does not support it. The Internet speed is like the principle of a wooden barrel. It is not determined based on the fastest end, but on the slowest end. Using a 56Kbps modem, without an ISP provider that provides 56Kbps access service is also useless.

In order for this compression algorithm to be useful, an industry standard must be formed. Not only must the modem manufacturer be unified, but also the data transmission rules of the entire Internet must be unified. How can such an industry influence be achieved by a Chinese? Hoffman believes that Zhou Shuo himself cannot make this compression algorithm an industry standard.

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

Hoffman narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhou Shuo with a sharp look and said, "Mr. Zhou, you have to consider it well. Without strong strength and wide influence, your compression algorithm patents may be difficult to promote and monetize. But your company projects may not be able to wait. Without our SBC support, your software will never be online."
Chapter completed!