Chapter 1042 This Is Hollywood

After a while, after reorganizing his thoughts, Nobuyuki Idei said, "Eric, what you mean is that as long as Sony is willing to sell the film department to Firefly at your price, Firefly Electronics can authorize Sony's related digital players. Patent?"

Although Sony is not satisfied with Eric's $2.925 million offer, Nobuyuki Idei also knows that, given the current state of Sony Pictures, Eric's offer at this time is actually quite reasonable. of. network

Even if Sony were able to bargain a bit, it wouldn't be possible to raise it much in the end. If you can get the technology license for the digital music player while selling Sony Pictures, in Idei's view, the deal is definitely worth the money.

Eric nodded and said, "Probably so. However, Firefly Electronics does not intend to unilaterally authorize it. Sony needs to exchange its existing technology patents."

Nobuyuki Idei immediately became vigilant again: "Eric, what technology is Firefly Electronics interested in?"

Eric said: "Digital camera."

Nobuyuki Idei blurted out instinctively, "That's impossible."

Various types of cameras and video cameras have always been Sony's most important products. Although it is still in the film era, most people can see the future development trend of digital camera technology. technology accumulation.

Although Sony is very jealous of Firefly's digital music player technology, in Nobuyuki Idei's heart, the technical patents of digital music players can never be compared with Sony's digital camera technology. He also knows that Sony's board of directors will also have this view. Nor would it be easy to approve the exchange of Sony's digital camera technology with Firefly Electronics.

Eric didn't seem to expect such a violent reaction from Nobuyuki Idei, he shrugged innocently and said, "Okay, Idei, maybe I didn't explain clearly. Firefly Electronics didn't want Sony's full set of digital camera technology, we just Interested in the miniature camera modules that Sony is developing that can be applied to mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, Firefly Electronics has no idea of ​​getting involved in the field of digital cameras.”

Nobuyuki Idei relaxed a little, but still said immediately: "In that case, Eric, this is actually a different thing from what we are going to discuss today. I think it's better for us to return to the topic of the film company."

"If you think so, of course there is no problem," Eric said: "However, although I am the boss, I can't do whatever I want. It took me a long time to persuade the senior management of Firefly Electronics to agree to exchange technology with Sony. Think big, if you miss this time, I don’t guarantee they will be willing next time. Moreover, on Sony’s md player, Firefly Electronics will definitely not be merciful.”

"Eric, you are the same, and I am the same. If Firefly Electronics intends to exchange technology with Sony, we can find another opportunity to negotiate. Now, let's talk about the film company. I just said, according to In the current economic situation in North America, Sony Pictures' price is at least $500 million, so your $300 million offer is way too low."

Eric said solemnly: "$2.9925 million."

Nobuyuki Idei glanced at Howard Stringer, who was embarrassed and angry, and said: "Well, if you insist, Sony will definitely not agree to this offer. Moreover, Firefly Group's blocking behavior has seriously violated U.S. antitrust laws, we can file a lawsuit in federal court anytime Sony wants to.”

"First of all, everyone knows that the Nasdaq market is now full of bubbles, so it is not feasible to carry out valuation according to the current market form. I have already made a very sincere offer," Ai said. Rick retorted and continued: "Secondly, the Firefly Group did not intend to block Sony Pictures, what you heard was just rumors spread by some ill-conceived guys,

This incident also caused very serious damage to the reputation of Firefly Group. We are investigating this matter, and once we catch the rumor mill, we will also file a lawsuit to make the other party pay enough. "

Eric's remarks made Howard Stringer almost jump up with anger, which is shameless.

Nobuyuki Idei also laughed angrily.

Only Bill Michanick twitched the corners of his mouth slightly, barely maintaining a calm expression.

The scene was in a stalemate. The waiter in the restaurant knocked on the door of the private room at the right time and asked if he could serve. Nobuyuki Idei waved his hand in agreement.

It wasn't until everyone's lunch was served and the waiter left again that the atmosphere eased a little.

However, after eating a few mouthfuls of food, Howard Stringer couldn't help but said: "Eric, since you said that Firefly has nothing against Sony, why did Qualcomm suddenly stop cooperating with Sony, and, Projector purchase negotiation for Firefly Rea1d system.”

Eric explained in a serious tone: "Qualcomm has Qualcomm's arrangements, and I rarely intervene in Qualcomm's management. As for the purchase of projectors for the Rea1d system, I think the price of Sony's projectors is too high. If Sony is willing to give With a suitable discount, the deal can naturally continue. So, Howard, Firefly has never had a place for Sony, it's all just a matter of fact."

"Then," Howard Stringer paused and said, "Then, the $2.9925 million is not an obvious target, isn't it?"

"Of course," Eric nodded, looking at Howard Stringer with a slightly moving expression, and continued: "However, this is just for you personally, and has nothing to do with the two companies. Howard, you know that the $7.5 million purchase How serious will a script have an impact on Hollywood? In recent years, the cost control of Hollywood films has been on the verge of getting out of control. Your behavior will further lead to an overall increase in the price of Hollywood scripts, which is not conducive to the entire Hollywood script. The film industry is very disadvantaged."

"That's just your side of the story," Howard Stringer immediately retorted: "And, as far as I know, you've earned far more than $7.5 million in personal income from many of your films just as a screenwriter."

As soon as Howard Stringer finished speaking, Bill Michanick felt that he couldn't bear to look directly at him. Isn't this sending his face up to be beaten?

Sure enough, Eric sneered and said: "I have earned more than 7.5 million US dollars, and that is because the film I made has achieved a global box office of 100 million US dollars. Although the box office records of Hollywood movies have been consistently recorded in recent years. It's being refreshed, but everyone can see that Hollywood's annual global box office can reach 100 million US dollars, and there will be no more than two movies at most. What's more, most of my income is obtained through sharing, which means that I took the risk with the films I made, and if these films failed, I could only get the script remuneration that is almost the same as that of the ordinary first-line screenwriters. Therefore, my personal return still follows the principle of getting more for more work, but you It's disrupting the normal order of Hollywood."

Howard Stringer was blushed by Eric's refutation, and he was speechless for a while.

Idei Nobuyuki had to take the initiative to speak again: "Eric, since both of us are interested in this deal, let's go back to the price negotiation."

"Of course," Eric calmly restrained his aggressive aura, and said, "My attitude is very clear when I leave the well, 2.9925 billion US dollars, which is the highest price I can offer."

Nobuyuki Idei: "I have asked someone to calculate that Sony Pictures' current debt is about $1.9 billion. Let's not mention the transaction price between us for the time being. Sony's condition is that Firefly must fully undertake this debt."

"Out of the well, don't forget that this is Hollywood, and no one knows the status of the major Hollywood studios better than ourselves. The overall debt of Sony Pictures is definitely more than $1.9 billion. Including some hidden debts, this number may be close to 25. 100 million," Eric shook his head and said, "So, Firefly does not refuse to take over part of the debt left by Sony Pictures, but the upper limit is 100 million US dollars. For the rest, Sony Group better find a way to solve it."

Hearing Eric's words, Nobuo Idei subconsciously glanced at Howard Stringer, who was beside him with dodging eyes, and there was a trace of anger in his heart.

As the U.S. stock market is booming, Sony Group, which is also listed in North America, currently has an overall market value of over $1ooo billion. Therefore, Nobuyuki Idei doesn't mind whether Sony Pictures' debt scale is 1.9 billion or 2.5 billion. He is annoyed that at this point, he, the chairman of the company, has not been able to obtain the real business status of Sony Pictures. .

With some domestic shameful thoughts, Nobuyuki Idei just glanced at it, and then quickly withdrew his gaze.

However, because of his disappointment, he lost the idea of ​​insisting on bargaining with Eric, and just wanted to get rid of the mess of Sony Pictures as soon as possible.

One of the two parties wanted to buy and the other wanted to sell. Therefore, after a lunch, the preliminary transaction price was basically agreed.

The price of 2.9925 billion US dollars is too sensitive, but in the end, Sony made some concessions and erased a fraction, which was determined to be 2.9 billion 900 million US dollars. At the same time, the Firefly Investment responsible for the acquisition It will take on Sony Pictures' $100 million debt, and the rest will be borne by Sony Group itself.

"Then, I'm very happy that we can reach this deal, and if Sony wants to cooperate with Hollywood in the future, Firefly will definitely cooperate as much as possible," Eric politely met with Nobuyuki Idei and Nobuyuki Idei in the parking lot outside the restaurant. Howard Stringer and Bill Michanick shook hands one by one, then turned to get into the car and told the driver to leave.

Watching Eric's luxury car leave, Howard Stringer instructed Bill Michanick beside him, "Bill, go back to the film company first, Mr. Idei and I have something to talk about. "

"Okay," Bill Michanick remembered Eric's intriguing look when he finally shook hands with him, nodded, and waited for Howard Stringer and Nobuo Idei to leave the same car, and Bill Michanic left. Charnick hurriedly got into his car and chased where Eric's car left.

At the same time, on the black Mercedes-Benz sedan that Nobuyuki Idei and Howard Stringer were riding in, when the vehicle was running smoothly, Howard Stringer took out a pocket recorder from his suit pocket, but did not press to play. key, just throw it aside.

Although forced to make the idea of ​​​​transferring Sony Pictures, Howard Stringer did not intend to be reconciled. The measures taken by the Firefly system this time are really bad and obviously violate the federal antitrust laws. However, Howard Stringer is clear that if it really wants to file a lawsuit, Sony will have no evidence at all.

The rumors circulating in Hollywood are impossible to prove at all. To win the lawsuit, Sony must either get the commercial contract from Firefly to block Sony Pictures, or wait for Firefly to actually block Sony Pictures in the future.

These two things are obviously unrealistic. In the special business environment of Hollywood, Firefly does not need to sign a similar contract with others to exclude Sony Pictures, and the marketing channels for Sony Pictures movies are blocked. , as long as Firefly Pictures does some small actions, such as providing advertising resources for Sony’s disliked movies, these ‘rumors’ can be dispelled, and even Firefly can bite back and complain that Sony deliberately does not advertise on Firefly’s media channels.

Since these two things don't work, then if Eric Williams himself intends to block Sony Pictures' recording, although this kind of eavesdropping is not very legal, but combined with the recent series of actions of the Firefly system, Sony still A lawsuit can be brought openly, or at least Eric Williams can be disgraced.

but……

Neither Howard Stringer nor Nobuyuki Idei expected how shameless a guy would be. Even in private occasions like a dinner party, he could open his eyes and talk nonsense seriously.

Nobuyuki Idei glanced at Howard Stringer's actions, remembered what Eric had said about Sony Pictures' detailed debt scale, and said, "Howard, before the end of the year, you should take the initiative to submit your resignation to the board of directors."

Howard Stringer moved his lips, sighed, but finally nodded sullenly.

For its own sake, Sony did not hesitate to lower the price and did not accept the $2.9925 million offer, but he also knew that Eric Williams had added fuel to the debt scale of Sony Pictures. , this can't be over after all.