Zhao Ye spoke at length to the newly formed MMC chip design team about the functions, design direction, and technical challenges of MMC chips.

When it comes to actually designing and developing the chip, Zhao Ye will be responsible for building the main architecture of the MMC chip and then assigning tasks to each member of the design team.

We just finished introducing MMC this morning, and this afternoon we'll go straight into the formal development process.

Not a moment to lose.

Designing chips takes time, and chip verification and mass production also take time.

In addition, the development of new game cartridges (cartridges with MMC chips) also takes time, and they must eventually be tested on the console game board.

Time is very tight.

...

In the Netherlands, Wang Jizhi and others visited Philips.

After meeting with Philips executives, Wang Jizhi explained his purpose.

"Mr. Larry Rutherford, hello. Our company, Wujiang, intends to purchase the patent technology license for Philips' recordable CD-ROMs!"

Upon hearing this, Larry Rutherford, a senior executive at Philips, was slightly taken aback. Philips had been looking to promote CDs, so he said to Wang Jizhi, "This is negotiable. Our company has already developed a cooperation plan that you can consider: for each recordable CD produced, you only need to pay Philips a patent fee of 3.5 cents!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jizhi almost cursed.

That's expensive! Don't be fooled by the fact that a single CD is cheap, only 3.5 cents, but when you produce a large quantity, the patent fees become substantial. If the number of CDs sold exceeds 1 billion, wouldn't they have to pay Philips $35 million?

Wang Jizhi immediately shook his head, indicating that he could not accept the price.

"Too expensive, I can't accept it!"

Wang Jizhi said, "I think we should change the way we cooperate. Wujiang Company can directly buy out the CD technology patent license in one go. In the future, no matter how many CDs are produced, we will not have to pay any patent fees to your company!"

Larry Rutherford didn't even hear Wang Jizhi's offer before firmly rejecting it, saying, "Mr. Wang Jizhi, Philips will not authorize this method!!!"

Clearly, Larry Rutherford, or rather Philips, understands better how to generate revenue slowly and sustainably.

"So, let's continue with our previous topic. Since you think 3.5 cents is a bit expensive, we can talk about it again. Philips is willing to lower the base price of 3.5 cents per piece by another 0.25 cents."

Wang Jizhi shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Larry Rutherford, I need to consult my boss about this matter. Our company's goal is to purchase the CD patent license in one go. So, since we can't reach this goal, we have no choice but to terminate the negotiations."

After saying this, Wang Jizhi stood up and took his leave of Larry Rutherford.

Back at the hotel, Wang Jizhi immediately reported the results of the first negotiation with Philips to Zhao Ye.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ye seemed to have already anticipated the outcome of Wang Jizhi's trip, but he still held onto a sliver of hope, which was why he let Wang Jizhi give it a try.

"In that case, let's do as Philips says, but the price must be lowered. I'll only accept 2.5 cents per chip!"

"Okay, boss, I'll do my best to get it!"

"Okay, that's all then, bye."

Zhao Ye hung up the phone, his expression not looking good.

You do the first day of the month, I'll do the fifteenth.

I'm out of options regarding CD standards.

But Wujiang Company will definitely seize a place in the DVD standard, and they will charge you the same way then!