Chapter 274: Overseas patent grant

Because his work requires frequent contact with R & D personnel, Carlotte understands the style of such people speaking and doing things. ． Fastest update
The more bulls who speak with strength, the more they hate slick tongues.
Therefore, when he introduced himself, he did not go around a lot, and directly showed Lu Zhou that he was Umicore, and after presenting his business card, he explained his purpose.
"I asked immediately, I wonder if Professor Lu has any plans to sell patents?"
"No."
Just after organizing the language in his mind, Carlodite was almost stopped by Lu Zhou.
He coughed twice to conceal his embarrassment. He reorganized his language and tried to convince him, "Are you not planning to ask the price? What if our offer would satisfy you?"
"It doesn't make any sense to talk about this now," Lu Zhou said, putting down the knife and fork in his hand gently, and said in a relaxed tone. "How much can you drive? 10 billion or 20 billion? Lithium battery technology has just begun. No matter how big the market is in the end, even if I plan to sell patents for modified PDMS films in a package, I won't sell at this time. "
Ten billion is obviously impossible, and Lu Zhou reported it blindly.
Maybe the lithium-sulfur battery lying in the laboratory is worth the price, but the item of lithium anode material alone is absolutely impossible.
After all, the global annual output value of lithium-ion battery anode materials is only over 10 billion US dollars, which is because graphite is expensive.
He heard a word from Lu Zhou, and Carlott couldn't help but have a headache.
This attitude of asking prices is obviously not interested in talking to him about the sale.
However, if he just gave up like this, it would be too unlike him.
"But have you considered alternatives?" The pretender smiled lightly, and Carlotte continued, "We all know that technology is developing very fast, and maybe after a few years, there are other more potential Materials appear, are you sure that your patent will still sell for a higher price? "
However, Lu Zhou just smiled and didn't show any concerns about the future that Carlodit described.
"I'm willing to take this risk."
Carlotte: "..."
Watching the Belgian brother stop talking, Lu Zhou said nothing and peeled off the lobster.
joke.
How much money did the industry throw away on the lithium negative electrode?
After burning so much money in the past few decades, the problem has not been solved. It may not be that after the funds have been cut off, which research institute has solved the problem in another way?
This possibility is not without, but low enough to be ignored.
Seeing that Lu Zhou had no intention of compromising, Carlodite sighed.
"Well, let's leave the acquisition aside, at what price are you planning to license the patent?"
Hearing this question, Lu Zhou finally showed a satisfied smile.
I finally waited for this sentence.
In fact, as far as two months ago, he was thinking about it, and even made a certain investigation for the lithium battery market.
The estimated global demand for lithium anode materials in 2016 is 138,000 tons. From the current statistics, the actual demand this year should be basically in line with expectations.
Although this data corresponds to a graphite material, it cannot be directly equivalently converted to a lithium anode material, but it still has some reference.
After all, due to the advantages of lithium anode materials in terms of cost and performance, and the safety issue has been properly resolved, the industry may be able to eliminate graphite anodes faster than he imagined.
For Lu Zhou, the cooperation method that maximizes the benefit is undoubtedly charging a certain percentage of the cost of patent fees per ton of material.
Taking into account the increase in demand, up to five years, he can rely on this patent to enjoy hundreds of millions of dollars in "annual salary".
The trouble, however, is that the tasks of the system are not waiting for anyone.
If this way of authorization is adopted, Lu Zhou's asset growth this year will only depend on Princeton's annual salary of $ 400,000.
So he thought of a compromise.
Not only can ensure that he can get a considerable profit in the short term, but also ensure long-term benefits.
After a pause, Lu Zhou said his proposal.
"In the global market outside of China, I am willing to grant you three years of use rights and agency rights for the modified pdms film patent at a price of US $ 200 million."
"Within the three-year period, you will have a substantially exclusive patent license to the global market outside of China, and I will no longer grant additional licenses to third parties. In exchange, you will have a second license for third parties The direct or indirect benefits need to be distributed to me 50%, and at the same time bear all the legal obligations and responsibilities corresponding to them. "
When he heard the offer of 200 million US dollars, Carlott was still a little bit dismissive.
However, when he heard Lu Zhou talking about the back, there was a sudden flash of surprise or excitement in his eyes.
In principle, patents are inherently exclusive and monopolistic, but in the current laws of each country, the interpretation of the exclusive right of intellectual property is not unlimited.
Theoretically, even if Umicore has bought a patent for the lithium anode material at a sky-high price that cannot be refused by Luzhou, it is impossible to monopolize the production of the product for 20 years and arbitrarily exclude other companies.
Because in addition to the Patent Law, each country has its own Anti-Monopoly Law, which clearly defines the abuse of intellectual property rights.
In a nutshell, if a patent is
irreplaceable
and causes a company ’s market share in a region to constitute a monopoly fact, it may face antitrust investigations.
If the lithium anode material replaces the graphite anode with an overwhelming advantage, before the appearance of similar lithium anode materials, the modified pdms thin film technology will undoubtedly meet the "irreplaceable" element.
For this type of patent, such as refusal of authorization, price discrimination and sky-high license fees, all acts that may constitute a monopoly element will touch antitrust regulations.
As for the boundaries of the law, case studies need to be conducted on various factors. At the same time, an excellent team of lawyers is required to cooperate with the senior management of the enterprise to test wildly on the edge of danger.
These sassy operations, with Lu Zhou's current capabilities, are definitely not playable.
But Umicore is different.
This multinational chemical giant is more familiar with what is in the rules than he is.
Even if it is for its own benefit, it will certainly increase the patent license fee as much as possible within the legal limits and expand its advantages in the anode material market.
In the past three years, Lu Zhou has been able to continuously obtain a considerable patent license fee, and Umicore has been able to obtain the market competitiveness it wants.
In this regard, the interests of both parties are the same.
Perfectly hiding the flash of excitement that flashed through the pupils, Carlott's face was embarrassed and hesitated for a moment.
"Three years is too short. If it is five years, I can accept your proposal. You know, it took us 10 million US dollars to obtain the authorization of lfp materials from Clariant Group ..."
"There is no comparability." Lu Zhou shook his head with a smile, "lfp material is just a positive electrode material with cost advantages. And don't think I don't know, the $ 10 million you said is just the threshold for entry. Every one ton of lfp you produce Materials, you have to pay $ 2,000 to a subsidiary of the Clariant Group. "
Being pierced in person, Carlodite's expression did not change.
As if a decision had been made, he stared at the landing boat with a gaze and only said two words.
"Four million!"
Hearing this number, Lu Zhou's heart jumped violently.
$ 400 million!
For him, this is not just a question of money ~ EbookFREE.me ~ There are also 400,000 free experiences behind ...
To be honest, his heart was moving.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Zhou said slowly.
"Up to four years, this is my bottom line. After four years, if we cooperate happily, I will consider renewing your contract at a new price. Or, I believe that the same contract, Nichia and 3m will definitely feel interest."
The last sentence seems to play a decisive role.
Carlotte originally wanted to fight for it, but there are not many bargaining chips. After all, Lu Zhou is not restricted by scientific research funds, and he is also a well-known scholar in academia.
Especially thinking that Nichia Chemical might really be able to offer a higher price, he thought very quickly, but eventually he loosened his shoulders and reluctantly made concessions.
"Well, you win, four years, four years."