After a while, I reorganized my thoughts, and Nobuyuki Idei said: "Eric, what you mean is that as long as Sony is willing to sell the film department to Firefly according to your quotation, Firefly Electronics can authorize Sony to deal with digital players. Is it a patent?"
Although Sony is not satisfied with Eric's offer of 2.9925 billion US dollars, Nobuyuki Idei also knows that with the current state of Sony Pictures, the offer Eric gave at this time is actually quite reasonable. of.
Even if Sony can bargain, it is impossible to raise too much in the end. If it is possible to obtain the technical authorization of the digital music player while selling Sony Pictures, in Nobuyuki Idei's view, the deal will definitely be worth the money.
Eric nodded and said, "Probably so. However, Firefly Electronics does not intend to unilaterally authorize it. Sony needs to exchange it with its existing technology patents."
Nobuyuki Idei immediately became vigilant again: "Eric, which technologies of Sony are Firefly Electronics interested in?"
Eric said: "Digital camera."
Nobuyuki Idei instinctively blurted out: "This is impossible."
Various types of cameras and video cameras have always been the most important products of Sony. Although it is still in the film era, most people can see the future development trend of digital camera technology. In this regard, Sony already has a very complete technology accumulation.
Although Sony is very envious of Firefly Electronics' digital music player technology, in Shinobu Idei's heart, the technical patent of digital music player is absolutely incomparable with Sony's digital camera technology. He also knows that Sony's board of directors will also have this view. It will definitely not easily 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, shrugged innocently, and said, "Well, 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 module 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 said immediately: "In this case, Eric, this is actually a different matter from what we are going to discuss today. I think it is best 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 lot of time to convince the top management of Firefly Electronics to agree to a technical exchange with Sony." If you miss this time, I don’t guarantee that they will be willing next time. Moreover, Firefly Electronics will definitely not show mercy when it comes to Sony’s MD players.”
"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. As I just said, according to Given the current economic situation in North America, the price of Sony Pictures is at least US$5 billion, so your offer of US$3 billion is really too low."
Eric said seriously: "US$2.9925 billion."
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, the blocking behavior of the Firefly Group has seriously violated According to the antitrust laws of the United States, as long as Sony wants, we can file a lawsuit in the federal court at any time."
"First of all, everyone knows that the Nasdaq market is full of bubbles, so the way of valuation according to the current market form is simply not feasible. I have already given a very sincere quotation," said Ai Rick retorted and continued: "Secondly, the Firefly Group did not intend to block Sony Pictures. What you heard was just rumors spread by some people with ulterior motives. This incident also caused great damage to the reputation of the Firefly Group. Serious damage. We are investigating this matter, and once we catch the rumormonger, we will also file a lawsuit to make the other party pay enough.”
Eric's words made Howard Stringer almost jump up with anger, it was really shameless.
Nobuyuki Idei was also very angry and laughed back.
Only Bill Michanik twitched the corners of his mouth slightly, barely maintaining a calm expression.
The scene was at a stalemate. The waiter in the restaurant knocked on the door of the private room at the right time and asked if the food could be served. Nobuyuki Idei waved his hand in agreement.
It wasn't until everyone's lunch was served and the waiter left again that the atmosphere relaxed a little.
However, after eating a few mouthfuls of food, Howard Stringer couldn't help but said: "Eric, since you said that Firefly didn't target Sony, why did Qualcomm suddenly stop cooperating with Sony, and, Negotiations on the purchase of projectors for the Firefly RealD system."
Eric explained in a serious tone: "Qualcomm has Qualcomm's arrangement, and I basically rarely interfere with Qualcomm's management. As for the purchase of projectors for the RealD system, I think the price of Sony's projectors is too high. If Sony is willing to give With an appropriate discount, the transaction between the two parties can naturally continue. Therefore, Howard, Firefly has never targeted Sony, and all this is just a matter of fact."
"Then," Howard Stringer paused, and said, "Then, what about $2.9925 billion? Isn't this an obvious target?"
"Of course," Eric nodded, looked at Howard Stringer with a slightly moving expression, and continued: "However, this is only for you personally, and has nothing to do with the two companies. Howard, do you know that the $7.5 million purchase Will a script have a serious 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. The movie business is all very bad."
"That's just your side story," Howard Stringer immediately retorted: "And, as far as I know, your personal income from many films as a screenwriter alone is far more than $7.5 million."
As soon as Howard Stringer finished speaking, Bill Michanik felt unbearable to look directly at him. Isn't this sending his face up to someone to beat him
Sure enough, Eric sneered, and said: "I got more than 7.5 million US dollars in revenue, because the films I produced can earn more than 1 billion US dollars at the global box office. Although the box office records of Hollywood movies have been consistently high in recent years. It is being refreshed, but everyone can see that there are no more than two films in Hollywood that can reach a global box office of 1 billion US dollars every year. What's more, most of my income is obtained through sharing, which means I share the risk with the movies I make. If these movies fail, I can only get paid for scripts that are not much different from ordinary first-line screenwriters. Therefore, my personal rewards still follow the principle of more work, more pay, but you It's disrupting the normal order of Hollywood."
Howard Stringer was blushed by Eric's refutation, and was a little speechless for a while.
Nobuyuki Idei had to take the initiative to speak again: "Eric, since both of us are interested in this deal, let's go back to the matter of price negotiation."
"Of course," Eric restrained his aggression in a good manner, and said, "Idei, my attitude is very clear, 2.9925 billion US dollars, this is the highest price I can offer."
Nobuyuki Idei: "I had someone do the statistics. The current debt scale of Sony Pictures is about 1.9 billion US dollars. Leaving aside the transaction price between us for the time being, Sony's condition is that Firefly must fully undertake this debt."
"Idei, don't forget that this is Hollywood. No one understands the situation of the major film companies in Hollywood better than ourselves. The overall debt scale of Sony Pictures is definitely more than 1.9 billion US dollars. Counting some hidden debts, this number may be close to 25. Billion," 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 1 billion US dollars. For the rest, it is best for the Sony Group to find a way to solve it."
Hearing Eric's words, Shinobu Idei subconsciously glanced at Howard Stringer, who was dodging his eyes, and a trace of anger grew in his heart.
With the boom in the US stock market, Sony Group, which is also listed in North America, has an overall market value of more than 100 billion US dollars. Therefore, Nobuyuki Idei doesn't mind whether the debt scale of Sony Pictures 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 get the real operating conditions of Sony Pictures. .
With some thoughts of family ugliness that should not be publicized, Idei Nobuyuki just glanced at it, and then quickly looked away.
However, because of the disappointment in his heart, he even 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 upon.
The face-slapping price of US$2.9925 billion is too sensitive after all. However, in the end, Sony made some concessions, erased a fraction, and determined it to be US$2.99 billion. At the same time, Firefly Investment, which was in charge of the acquisition, Sony Pictures will assume $1 billion in debt, and the rest will be borne by the Sony Group itself.
"Then, I'm very happy that we were able to reach this deal. Also, if Sony wants to cooperate with Hollywood in movies in the future, Firefly will definitely cooperate as much as possible," Eric said politely to Nobuyuki Idei in the parking lot outside the restaurant, Howard Stringer and Bill Michanik shook hands one by one, then turned back into the car and told the driver to leave.
Watching Eric's luxury car leave, Howard Stringer told Bill Michanik beside him: "Bill, you go back to the film company first, Mr. Idei and I still have something to talk about. "
"Okay," Bill Michanik nodded, remembering Eric's meaningful eyes when he shook hands with him at the end, and waited for Howard Stringer and Shinobu Idei to leave in the same car. Bill Michanik Charnick quickly got into his car and chased after Eric's car.
At the same time, Nobuyuki Idei and Howard Stringer were riding in the black Mercedes-Benz car. After the vehicle was running smoothly, Howard Stringer took out a pocket recorder from his suit pocket, but did not press play key, just throw it aside.
Although he was forced to make the idea of transferring Sony Pictures, Howard Stringer did not intend to be reconciled. The method adopted by the Firefly system this time is really bad, and it obviously violated the federal anti-monopoly law. However, Howard Stringer knew that if he really wanted to file a lawsuit, Sony would have no evidence at all.
The rumors circulating in Hollywood cannot be used as evidence at all. To win the lawsuit, Sony must either obtain the commercial contract that Firefly intends to crowd out 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 similar contracts with others to limit competition to exclude Sony Pictures. Moreover, the marketing channels for Sony Pictures movies are blocked. , As long as Firefly Pictures makes some small moves, such as providing advertising resources for movies that Sony does not like, these "rumors" can be broken. Even Firefly can bite back and complain that Sony deliberately does not place advertisements on the media channels of the Firefly system.
Since these two things don't work, if it is possible to record the recording of Eric Williams himself planning to block Sony Pictures, although this kind of wiretapping is not legal, combined with the recent series of actions of the Firefly system, Sony still The lawsuit can be filed in a grand manner, and at least Eric Williams can be disgraced.
but…
Neither Howard Stringer nor Idei Nobuyuki expected a certain guy to be so shameless, even in a private occasion like a dinner party, he could open his eyes and talk nonsense in a serious manner.
Nobuyuki Idei glanced at Howard Stringer's actions, recalling Eric's words about the detailed debt scale of Sony Pictures, 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 and sighed, but finally nodded dejectedly.
For the sake of its own face, Sony did not hesitate to take the initiative to lower the price, and did not accept the offer of 2.9925 billion US dollars, but he also knew that Eric Williams added fuel to Sony Pictures' debt scale. , this matter is impossible to let it go.