pertwk Chapter 70 Taking Down the Clean Copyright
Chapter 70 Taking Down the Clean Copyright
At this moment, Yang Chengang, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up. Following the strategy he had discussed with Lin Feng, he took on the role of peacemaker.
"Brother Tiger, President Lin, please don't get upset. Brother Tiger, when I was down on my luck last year, it was you who lent me money and tried to give me a helping hand. I remember that kindness."
Mr. Lin is my current business partner and someone who genuinely wants to help me make the song a success. You are all my friends, and I truly don't want to see you have any unpleasantness because of me, much less end up in court with any of you.
He looked at Wang Hu with pleading eyes: "Brother Hu, things have already come to this. President Lin already has the copyright for ringback tones, so he can legally produce them."
Your contract... does have some issues. How about we find a way to settle it all at once? You'll get some compensation, we can all stay on good terms, and maybe there will be opportunities to work together again in the future.
Going to court would be bad for everyone, and it would damage relationships. Tiger, what do you think?
Yang Chengang's emotional appeal was both reasonable and gave both sides a way out.
Wang Hu's expression shifted constantly. He glanced at the composed Lin Feng, and the copyright agreement in his hand seemed to be becoming more and more worthless. A huge sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.
He knew he had no choice. If he continued to resist, he might not get a single penny and would only cause more trouble.
Tian Chuanjun had already cashed out some of his profits and made a fortune. He wasn't stupid. Now, he wanted to recoup whatever little he could.
He slumped back, his voice low and dejected: "Then, for Chen Gang's sake, President Lin, name your price. How do you want to settle this?"
At this point, the situation in the negotiations between the two sides had completely reversed.
Lin Feng stopped beating around the bush and presented the solution he had already come up with: "President Wang, based on your early help and investment in Chen Gang, we are willing to offer 10,000 yuan to buy out the copyright of your 'Mice Love Rice' ringtone business in one go."
At the same time, Chen Gang will sign a memorandum of understanding with you, acknowledging your early assistance and promising that, under the same conditions, you will have priority in negotiating his future non-exclusive acting career. This is the final solution.
"Ten thousand?" Wang Hu's facial muscles twitched. "President Lin, the effort I've put in far exceeds that! Twenty thousand! At least twenty thousand!"
"Ten thousand it is." Lin Feng's attitude left no room for negotiation. "President Wang, this ten thousand is the maximum sincerity we can offer. It's compensation, not a purchase. You should be aware that the copyright you hold has legal flaws."
If you accept, we'll sign the agreement now, you'll take the money and leave, and we'll be even. If you don't accept, we respect your choice. Chen Gang, let's go.
As he spoke, Lin Feng made a move to get up.
"Wait!" Wang Hu shouted hurriedly, his face turning red and then pale. He had no more bargaining chips left.
Ten thousand yuan, though less than expected, is better than nothing. That memorandum of priority negotiation rights is at least some psychological comfort.
He struggled internally for a few seconds, and finally, all his calculations, resentment, and wishful thinking turned into a long sigh.
Wang Hu closed his eyes, his whole body slumped back in the chair as if his spine had been removed.
"...Fine. Ten thousand it is." Wang Hu's voice was full of exhaustion. "Sign it."
The next day, at Taige Impression Culture Communication Co., Ltd., Lin Feng, Yang Chengang, and Wang Hu signed two documents: "Statement of Settlement of Dispute and Waiver of Rights" and "Memorandum of Understanding".
The memorandum buys out all rights and claims that may be related to ringback tones for 10,000 yuan, and only grants non-exclusive priority negotiation rights.
After reading it word by word, Wang Hu picked up a pen, signed his name, and stamped it with the official seal of Taige Impression.
Yang Chengang also signed the memorandum. Lin Feng received the contract documents and arranged for the finance department to transfer the funds to Taige Impression.
Wang Hu didn't say another word. He picked up the now-cold tea and drank it all in one gulp.
In stark contrast to Tian Chuanjun's smugness after receiving the money, his face revealed a sense of helplessness at his failed scheme.
Leaving Taige Impression Company, Yang Chengang breathed a long sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
Lin Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This trip to Beijing was worthwhile; he finally secured the ringtone rights for "Mice Love Rice."
The total cost was 35,000 yuan, of which 25,000 yuan was contributed by Tian Chuanjun's Fengchi Digital Studio. The 10,000 yuan from Wang Hu was considered a personal loan from Lin Feng to Yang Chengang, and was contributed by Yang Chengang.
Next, Lin Feng and Yang Chengang signed an "Exclusive Authorization Agreement for the 'Mice Love Rice' Ringback Tone Business" and a "Private Loan Agreement of 10,000 Yuan".
Both parties agreed to split the revenue from the ringback tone business in the future, with Lin Feng contributing 71% and Yang Chengang contributing 29%, based on a capital contribution ratio of 2.5 yuan to 1 yuan.
Yang Chengang's share of the profits must first be used to repay Lin Feng's personal debts.
Yang Chengang had no objections. He hadn't spent a penny yet, but would receive a 29% return in the future, which he was very satisfied with.
"This isn't over yet," Lin Feng said, putting away all the agreements and looking at Yang Chengang with a relaxed smile. "Come on, I'll take you somewhere."
"Where to?" Yang Chengang asked, puzzled.
"A recording studio. The best and most professional recording studio in Beijing. We need to re-record 'Mice Love Rice,' a version worthy of its future fate."
An hour later, they arrived at a top-notch commercial recording studio in Beijing.
Professional equipment, a quiet, soundproof environment, and experienced recording engineers—everything is vastly different from the simple "Taige Impression" recording studio that Yang Chengang remembers.
Standing in front of a professional microphone, wearing headphones, and listening to the richer, newly arranged accompaniment music flowing through his ears, Yang Chengang took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
All the hesitation, humiliation, and anticipation for the future converged into a torrent at this moment.
When he started singing again, the emotions in his voice moved Lin Feng and the recording engineer, who were separated by the glass of the control room.
The song "Mice Love Rice" truly came back to life in his emotionally charged performance.
Every note seems to express a desire to break free from shackles and run towards the future.
After recording wrapped, Yang Chengang walked out of the recording studio, still visibly excited. "President Lin, I've never sung so well before!"
Lin Feng patted him on the shoulder and nodded affirmatively: "That's right. The past is over. From this moment on, this song and you should both have a brand new beginning."
The next day, Lin Feng boarded a flight back to Chengdu. The plane soared into the sky, and outside the window was a clear blue sky and dazzling sunshine.
Lin Feng leaned back in his chair and gently closed his eyes.
The bag contained four key agreements signed with Tian Chuanjun, Wang Hu, and Yang Chengang respectively. Complete, clean, and trouble-free exclusive authorizations were finally firmly in Lin Feng's hands.
In addition, the USB drive also contained a high-quality audio file of "Mice Love Rice," which is sure to become a hit in the future.
All obstacles have now been cleared.
After returning to Chengdu, Lin Feng prepared to discuss the ringtone collaboration for his new song with Xunji Music and China Mobile. Everything was going according to plan.