American History 1988
Chapter 151 - 145: Spread

Chapter 151: Chapter 145: Spread

Under Dan Rosenheim’s curious gaze, Dean took an envelope from the sofa beside him.

"What’s inside here is the proof of Byte Software’s legal operation and the evidence that exposes Bell’s robber logic and greedy face," Dean said, unwrapping the string around the kraft paper envelope and pulling out a receipt and an invoice.

"This is..." Dan Rosenheim took the receipt and examined it closely, "Is this a license authorization from the International Telecommunication Union?"

"Exactly," Dean nodded affirmatively, "Before the release of Teams software, we had applied for a usage license from the International Telecommunication Union, and this is the invoice for the one thousand US Dollar authorization management fee."

Many standards promoted by the International Telecommunication Union are free to industry members, but depending on the standard, related manufacturers need to pay a one-time management fee of one thousand US Dollars to the organization.

A portion of this fee remains to support the operations of the International Telecommunication Union, and a portion is given as licensing fees to the patent holders involved in the standards.

When founding Byte Company, Dean also paid this fee. After all, it was only one thousand dollars, nearly negligible, almost like it was free.

With this invoice, Byte Software’s actions became even more legitimate. Even Dean could claim that Teams had already paid the related patent fees.

"Wow~" Dan Rosenheim scrutinized the invoice carefully, "May I take a picture of this?"

"Of course," this played right into Dean’s hands.

After taking two photos, Dan Rosenheim continued the interview. "It looks like Byte Software is already prepared?"

"If this can’t prove the legality of Byte Software, then I can only say that the Bell octopus is ready to ravage North America again."

Dean opened his hands incredulously, "It’s only been six years, and it’s clear that last time didn’t affect them at all."

"Oh~" Dan Rosenheim raised an eyebrow, understanding what Dean was hinting at, but he didn’t take the bait.

Dare to accuse the Bell Group of not being thoroughly broken up, well, Dan Rosenheim admired Dean’s courage.

"I heard that Byte Software has already received a lawsuit from Bell?"

"Yeah~" Dean didn’t deny it, "They ignored the existence of the International Telecommunication Union and forcibly initiated a lawsuit against us."

"So..." Dan Rosenheim looked at him sympathetically, "What does Byte Software plan to do?"

"All our business activities are legal and reasonable, we’re not afraid of baseless accusations, so we will respond to the lawsuit!"

For the first time, Dean officially announced in the media that Byte Software would respond to the lawsuit.

"I wish you success, Dean~" Dan Rosenheim admired the young man’s composure and calmness.

If it was any other start-up, maybe they would have been terrified upon receiving the lawsuit from Bell.

"I firmly believe we are on the side of justice." Dean stood up and shook his hand.

"I’ll go back and also apply for the purchase of Teams with Carl," Dan Rosenheim humorously responded.

"Thank you~" Dean turned to motion to Anna, who was in the corner, "Quickly get our guest a fresh cup of coffee; it’s already missed its most delicious moment."

"Haha~" Dan Rosenheim patted Dean’s shoulder, "I like you, Dean; you’re one of the most outstanding young people I’ve met."

"Will that be written in the newspaper~"

"Haha~ of course~"

Turning off the recording device and stowing away his notebook, Dan Rosenheim even chatted with Dean about many everyday topics in private.

The editor from the Chronicle was very talkative, and it wasn’t until David Morgentaler arrived from Sand Hill Road that they bid each other farewell.

The reporter from the Chronicle had been invited by David to engage in public relations, of course starting here in the Bay Area.

Let’s not forget that the venue for the lawsuit between Byte and Bell is in Northern California, so to ensure the judges are informed about the details of this case at the earliest, the Chronicle is a very appropriate choice.

Although Dean knew that AT&T was behind the lawsuit, he never mentioned its name; instead, Bell became his target.

Why? Because the name Bell is more familiar to the public.

"Bell octopus," "Bell dame," almost every American has heard of these nicknames.

On one side is the powerful and deeply-rooted Bell, and on the other, a start-up company founded less than half a year ago.

The stark contrast in power between the two is also more likely to capture people’s attention.

"Boss, there’s an interview with ’Popular Electronics’ later, and tomorrow..." Anna flipped through her notepad, "tomorrow there’s ’PC Technology’ and ’PC World’..."

"OK~" Dean shrugged indifferently, meaning he had many more times to repeat the story he just told.

But that’s the game’s rules, even though he was tired of repeating some things.

However, to make people believe what he said, Dean needed to be as invested and excited about telling the story as he was the first time.

Moreover, not all these magazines were public relations media found by Morgentaler and Mayfield; some were simply attracted by the lawsuit itself.

So, without knowing the other party’s stance, Dean needed to answer carefully.

...

"The San Francisco Chronicle," though a local newspaper in San Francisco, exerted immense influence throughout the entire Bay Area, northern Los Angeles, and even Hawaii.

The day after Dean was interviewed, "The San Francisco Chronicle" published an article entitled "The Resurrection of the Bell Octopus."

It was delivered to millions of homes across the Bay Area, as well as to the desks of corporate executives.

In this article, Dan Rosenheim recounted most of his conversation with Dean.

Notably, the dispute with Bell over patents was succinctly summarized by the newspaper.

Dean’s "public library" metaphor was reproduced verbatim in The Chronicle, and even the invoice was prominently featured.

"Obviously, Bell has set its sights on Byte Software, whose sales figures in the tens of millions of US dollars over six months."

That would be enough for them to override moral constraints and disregard the exorbitant costs of litigation.

The innovation of Teams software in the field of communication presented a threat to them.

So, the Bell octopus waved its tentacles, lying in wait to strike, ready to throttle the growth of this fledgling company in Silicon Valley."

"Fuck! Damn Chronicle!" William Kennard crumpled the newspaper in his hands and hurled it into the trash can with force.

"Alec, go and greet the DeYoung family. Tell them AT&T is interested in venturing into media, and ask them if they’re interested. And also remind them to keep their journalists in check!"

The DeYoung family founded "The San Francisco Chronicle," and their headquarters were just a few blocks away from AT&T.

The article from The Chronicle made William Kennard feel the humiliation of being scolded by his own neighbor.

"But Boss..." Alec cautiously reminded him, "We don’t really have any cooperation with The Chronicle. All of AT&T’s advertisements are run in ’The Mercury News.’"

"Then go to ’The Mercury News’!" William Kennard said, waving his hands angrily. "Just take action immediately, don’t just sit there and watch the competitors splash dirty water on our heads!

Do you see, Alec? That guy named Dean has already thrown down the gauntlet to us! Byte Software will respond to the suit!

Let our lawyers get ready with the evidence. Since he wants to see the methods of the Bell octopus, then give him what he wants!"

William Kennard was very sensitive about the nickname "Bell octopus;" it signified a less than glorious history.

The current AT&T was striving to improve its business image, precisely to shed this label. He didn’t want the public to make this association once again.

But apparently, Byte Software had ripped open that old wound and poked it hard.

Ding-a-ling-a-ling... William Kennard’s fury had not subsided when the telephone on his desk suddenly rang.

"This is William Kennard..."

"Oh..." William Kennard’s eyes widened gradually, "Duane, it’s just an accident, I assure you... Yes, our lawyers are taking action—"

He hung up the phone with a click, and suddenly William Kennard didn’t feel so angry anymore.

Because it wasn’t AT&T bearing the name Bell anymore, but rather the regional Bell companies, specifically Southern Bell, to be precise.

William Kennard had almost forgotten; the Bell System had already been dismantled, and the "Bell octopus" referred to in the newspaper had nothing to do with him.

The really anxious one was Duane, who had just called; he was the president of Southern Bell. If that was the case...

"Alec, mobilize our media relations and teach Byte Software a harsh lesson. It would be great to get in touch with a few other Bell companies to denounce them together."

Since it had nothing to do with AT&T, William Kennard was no longer burdened.

Stirring up a fuss might be good; perhaps when Southern Bell got fed up, he might continue discussing a patent transfer with them.

...

Those who saw "The San Francisco Chronicle" article were not limited to AT&T, which was constantly monitoring Byte Software.

As the most influential newspaper in the Bay Area, the area’s elite read The Chronicle almost every day to stay informed about the latest news in the Bay Area.

The lean John Duerr, as usual, came down from his Dodge van with red eyes, headed straight for KeyPoint Ventures’ office.

Acknowledging the greetings from passersby, Duerr entered the office without uttering a word.

He was like an ascetic monk, yet full of energy. He slept little, drove recklessly, and wished he could be in three places at once.

Duerr was too busy; he seemed to have little desire for material things, his only interest being in truly revolutionary startup companies.

Because Duerr believed that these companies might give birth to entirely new industries, which was how KeyPoint Ventures could achieve a grand slam return on investment.

The first thing Duerr did when he sat down at his desk was to read today’s edition of "The San Francisco Chronicle," a habit he had developed over many years.

Not surprisingly, the story "The Resurrection of the Bell Octopus" on the front page caught his eye.

The word Bell came with built-in traffic, but after reading for a while, Duerr’s attention shifted to Byte Software and the young man named Dean Price.

Five minutes later Duerr was pressing the speed dial on his phone, "Lorena, could you find out the address for Byte Software’s company for me?"

"Menlo Park, 3328 Central Avenue," Lorena, his assistant, replied after five minutes.

"Thanks," Duerr hung up the phone, then got up and left his office which he had been in for less than ten minutes.