Feng Yu arranged for Masao Kameda to go to that camera company to purchase digital patents and related technologies. By the way, that camera company was called Koda!
Kameda Masao assured Feng Yu that he would buy back the technology in the shortest time and at the best price.
The reason why he was asked to go instead of Ralph was because Kameda Masao was from the island country and this time the purchase was made in the name of the island country company. The island country is the world's top in the field of digital cameras. This can lower the value of these technologies and patents without making Koda suspicious.
Kodak doesn't pay much attention to digital cameras anyway at this time. They are also afraid that if this develops, it will impact the market of their traditional cameras, so they have been suppressing the development of this industry on their own.
Although their digital technology is also top-notch in the world, in terms of corporate revenue, digital revenue only accounts for just over 15%, but the investment in digital and traditional investments is nearly one-to-one!
This has made many shareholders dissatisfied with Kodak's president, believing that his decision has reduced the company's profits. If they only made traditional cameras, their profits could increase by 30%!
As soon as Kameda Masao contacted him, Kodak's shareholders agreed one after another. Many shareholders even said that the entire digital business should be packaged and sold instead of just selling patented technology. After all, selling patents and technology doesn't sound good, as it would make people think that Keda has a financial problem.
However, some shareholders believe that selling patented technology is not bad. After all, they still have some R&D personnel. They can make profits simply by selling technology or licensing technology like some research institutes. This is also a good way to make profits.
After selling these technologies, their digital projects will not lose money, but make money. Since this project can make money, why not continue research? If digital technology really matures in the future, they will not fall behind other companies.
There are also several shareholders who believe that these technologies and patents should not be sold, after all, they have invested so much in this. We have just decided on a two-pronged strategy, but it will take three years to see the results.
Digital photography products have improved a lot in recent years. It may only be a few years before they can compete with traditional cameras.
However, all shareholders do not believe that digital cameras will replace traditional cameras in a short time!
Kameda Masao asked Feng Yu for his opinion. If Kodak's entire digital camera business could be acquired, it would probably cost more money.
Kodak has the most patented camera technologies in the world. It has been a company for more than 100 years, and its brand value alone is an astronomical figure.
If the Kodak brand is excluded, the business value of digital cameras will depreciate somewhat. To put it simply, the price difference between the same camera with a brand that no one has heard of and a Kodak brand can be more than two hundred dollars! The added value of the Kodak brand to cameras is so high.
It is precisely because the added value of Keda's brand is too high that the sales of their digital products are not so good. After all, brands such as Four Star, Sunny, and Nikang are not small, but products with the same performance are sold much cheaper.
What's more, other companies mainly promote digital cameras, while only Kodak mainly promotes traditional cameras because they also have film developing shops all over the world, which is also a major source of their income.
In addition, their film sales volume is also the first in the world, and their profits are not low.
Feng Yu thought for a while, and if he could acquire it, then it would be a good idea to do so, mainly depending on the price. If it's cheap, definitely buy it. If you come back to produce cameras yourself, you can at least occupy the Chinese market and you won't lose money.
If it is too expensive, then there is no need. It would be very stressful to compete with other brands abroad. Anyway, this digital camera only has a lifespan of ten years. Ten years later, smartphones began to become popular. At that time, various photography apps were much more fun than digital cameras.
Those who really play with digital cameras are those photography enthusiasts, but how many photography enthusiasts are there
However, if we can move from digital cameras to digital video cameras, the development will undoubtedly be much better. It's just that the technology here is very different. At least Keda doesn't have it, and Sunny and the others have already dabbled in it.
In six or seven years, traditional film cameras will be gradually phased out. At that time, all movies will be shot with digital cameras. It is lightweight, has a large storage capacity, and can be copied to a computer for cutting. The important thing is not to worry about taking dozens of shots with one lens, which will cause the film cost to be too high and the production cost to rise.
What you shoot digitally only takes up a little storage space, which can greatly save shooting costs. Even small DVs will become popular. Many people like the fun of taking selfies.
Well, as for taking pictures outside the room or inside the room, I won’t go into details about this.
The popularity of digital cameras is also related to the development of computers. Many people are willing to take photos, but are reluctant to develop them. Especially after seeing the photos developed, they are not satisfied with many photos and feel that they have wasted money.
Digital photos save you this trouble. You can choose directly on the computer or even on the camera to delete some photos you don't like. The printed ones must have been screened.
But when Masao Kameda told Feng Yu about Kodak’s quotation, Feng Yu was confused.
"What are you talking about? The digital camera business costs US$4.6 billion?!"
This cannot be said to be beyond Feng Yu’s budget, but ten times more!
Feng Yu's inner budget is to obtain advanced digital photography technology, including corresponding patents, within US$500 million. If he could choose, he would also like to choose and filter out some less important technologies.
He thought that Keda might charge a high price, but he didn't expect it to be so high!
"Boss, their technology is indeed very good, and many of them are exclusive patents. I am confident that we can win the entire business within US$4 billion."
Kameda Masashi said that it is not impossible for the boss to come up with four billion US dollars. Every time the boss is optimistic about an industry, he shows no mercy.
"Don't buy it! It's too expensive! Just choose some optical and electronic technologies. For other technologies, you can selectively purchase licenses or develop them yourself."
Feng Yu originally wanted to graft a digital camera onto a mobile phone. Four billion US dollars, that’s a huge investment! Feng Yu also needs to reserve funds and wait to acquire AMD shares.
Only then did Masao Kameda realize that he had misunderstood this time, and immediately told Feng Yu: "Don't worry, boss, if you only buy part of the technology and patents, or license the patents, the US$500 million will not be used at all. I can even talk to you." They sign an agreement, and we have the first right to purchase any newer and better technology they develop in the future.”
"Well, let's talk in this direction. Save money if you can."
After hanging up the phone, Feng Yu shook his head. Rich people can't resist spending their money!
(End of chapter)