The lawsuit was of great importance. Jiang Chen gathered Future Technology's North America CEO and the legal team for a virtual conference through the Phantom helmet.
Jiang Chen asked as soon as the conference began.
"What's the probability of winning?"
"Seventy percent! The UA Department of Justice's lawsuit against us is false. Our Phantom helmet, strictly speaking, is a 'high-end VR device.' Although we have a large share in the UA market, it's far from a monopoly. For example, Microsoft's HoloLens, Google Cardboard, and other devices still have a certain market share in the low-end market! And most importantly, we haven't used our advantage in the market to prevent other companies from entering the market, "the legal team's representative replied with certainty.
The monopoly prohibited by law refers to the deliberate creation of barriers to industry entry, monopolization of key resources, exclusion and elimination of competition. It is a kind of procedural judgment, not a result judgment. Monopoly may lead to market leadership, but market leadership does not mean monopoly.
The only thing that prevents other companies from entering the market is the gap in technology, not Future Group's use of its own advantages. Therefore, the UA Department of Justice's lawsuit is far-fetched. The probability of Future Group winning is high!
Jiang Chen nodded to the lawyer and then looked at Kermit.
"Kermit, you're the CEO of North America. I only have one thing to tell you. Make sure to use public opinion. 70% of the UA population has our Future 1.0 installed in their phones. It's not only a gold mine, but it's also our weapon! I want you to create a public opinion that the UA Department of Justice is obstructing the development of technology due to local protectionism and is suspected of accepting bribes to conduct an unfair anti-trust investigation against Future Group. "
Although creating public opinion isn't enough to force them to submit, it can make them pay a significant price. The Department of Justice serves the Capital, and if Ms. Hill wants to be re-elected, she must be cautious on this matter.
"It doesn't matter if there's no evidence. We can use the water army and conspiracy theories!" Jiang Chen added.
"Understood!" Kermit nodded.
After the meeting, Jiang Chen headed to New Moon Island.
On the island, he saw the two young men imprisoned for forcibly boarding the offshore mining platform. Because of the pressure from the UA Embassy, Celestial Trade didn't send the two to prison, but brought them to the military base.
It was a man and a woman. The woman looked young, like a university student. The man was slightly older, about 30 years old. He wore glasses on his thin face and had some stubble on his chin.
Squatting in the small dark room and looking at the rifles in the hands of the soldiers outside, the man was still alright. One look and you could tell that he had been through a lot and had been imprisoned by the governments of various countries. That woman, on the other hand, was obviously a rookie. She was squatting in the corner, shivering.
"Katie, calm down, they wouldn't dare do anything to us. We are American citizens after all. For the sake of face, Hilary has to get us out. "Barney Baird comforted his companions.
"But, but they have guns …" Katie said in horror.
"Don't worry, Miss Katie, we're not the cannibals of New Guinea. Just like what that gentleman said, we won't do anything to you."
Suddenly, voices came from the direction of the door. The two people in the small dark room immediately raised their heads and looked in that direction. The soldiers standing in the corridor saluted and stepped aside. Barney narrowed his eyes when he saw who it was.
Jiang Chen! Who would have thought that he would personally come here!
"We are the guardians of Blue Seagull's environmentalism! You unscrupulous entrepreneurs, you have no right to interfere with our righteous actions! I advise you to let them go, or else … "
"Or else I'll make a documentary of the treatment you've received today and put it on YouTube to ruin our reputation?" Jiang Chen said with a mischievous smile, "Or are you planning to organize an environmentalist protest in Capital or New York to accuse us of a crime?"
"This isn't a groundless accusation! Your actions forced those poor dolphins to leave their homes because of your irresponsible actions. Do you know the consequences this will bring to the ecosystem?! "Katie gathered her courage and stared at Jiang Chen.
"Is that so? Regardless of whether we're guilty or not, you're not police. And just seven hours ago, you boarded Future Mining's mining platform and interfered with our production. We're discussing charging you with piracy. If convicted, you'll face 10-15 years in prison. I'm curious, when you left the country, didn't the customs remind you to obey the local law? "Jiang Chen said with a smile.
"You, you can't do this!" A hint of panic appeared on Barney's face.
Jiang Chen didn't look like he would compromise with the UA Embassy. It was completely out of his expectations.
His companion, Lady Katie, on the other hand, was completely petrified. Although she called herself an environmentalist, she never considered sacrificing herself for the cause. When she heard that she would be imprisoned for more than ten years, tears began to roll down her cheeks.
"Of course we can do that," Jiang Chen said emotionlessly. "You have the right to hire a lawyer to defend yourself, but I guarantee you'll lose."
"Please, don't do this! I, I'm still studying at Bernard College, I'll be expelled … "Katie grabbed onto the bars of the window and begged Jiang Chen with tears and snot running down her face.
Jiang Chen didn't look at her. Instead, he looked at the pale Barney and smiled.
"But there's still room for negotiation."
"What do you want me to do?" Barney glanced at the sobbing Katie and said with difficulty.
"Cooperate with us and restore our reputation." Jiang Chen snapped his fingers and the people behind him placed two contracts on the table.
Barney looked at the two contracts on the table and gulped. He picked up one of them.
"This is?"
"Barney Baird, internationally renowned photographer, editor of a social science magazine, one of the key members of the Blue Seagull environmental organization. I heard you're good at photography? We'll provide the equipment. Help me shoot a documentary. The name will be 'Lies', "Jiang Chen said.
"That's impossible!" Barney yelled in agitation.
Jiang Chen looked at him expressionlessly and said with an uncompromising tone.
"There are only two choices in front of you. Either stay in prison for the rest of your life, or sign this document."
Looking at the document, Barney's face turned pale.
"Barney, I beg you …" His companion's sobbing begged him.
"I just want our innocence back," Jiang Chen said expressionlessly.
After a long silence, Barney, who couldn't withstand the pressure, finally picked up the pen with trembling hands.
When he signed his name, he seemed to have used up all his energy as he collapsed into the chair.
As an executive of Blue Seagull, he had heard about the inside story of the smear campaign against Future Group. Although he didn't know who was behind the scenes, from the unscientific funding, he already knew that the person behind the scenes must have a powerful background.
It was also the reason why he didn't want to sign.
For Mother Earth? Stop joking! He knew better than anyone that from the start of Future Group's Penglai City project, he had been closely monitoring its impact on the ecological balance of Haiti! Just like Jiang Chen said, Future Group's sonar already drove the fish out of the construction radius. Because of this, he even argued with the president of the organization.
But just like Jiang Chen said, he didn't have much choice.
"… If I sign, can you guarantee my safety?"
"Of course, but you won't be able to return to the UA in the short term. Trust me, I'm doing this for your own good. " Jiang Chen put away the contract, signaled the soldier to unlock the door, and smiled at him. "Our people will send you to a five-star hotel in a bit. Don't worry about the cost, I'll pay for you."
"Remember, you've never stayed in the dark room, not even for a minute!"
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