Chapter 275 Overseas Patent Authorization

Because work requires frequent contact with R&D personnel, Kalodite understands the style of speaking and doing things of such people.

The more powerful people speak with their strength, the more they hate their glib tongue.

So when he introduced himself, he didn't go around too much, and directly stated to Lu Zhou that he was the CEO of Umicore, and after handing over his business card, he explained his purpose.

"I'll just ask straight to the point. I wonder if Professor Lu plans to sell the patent?"

"No."

Kalodite, who had just organized the language in his mind, was almost choked by Lu Zhou's words.

Coughing twice to cover up his embarrassment, he reorganized his words and tried to persuade: "Aren't you going to ask the price? What if our quotation can satisfy you?"

"It doesn't make any sense to talk about it now," Lu Zhou gently put down the knife and fork in his hand, and said in a relaxed tone, "How much can you charge? 10 billion or 20 billion? Lithium battery technology has just started, and the negative electrode material No one can say how big the market will be in the end. Even if I plan to package and sell the patent of the modified PDMS film, I will not sell it at this time.”

Ten billion is obviously impossible, and Lu Zhou reported it casually.

Perhaps the lithium-sulfur battery still lying in the laboratory is worth the price, but it is absolutely impossible for the lithium anode material alone.

After all, the global annual output value of lithium-ion battery anode materials is only more than 10 billion US dollars, and this is because graphite is expensive.

Hearing Lu Zhou's words, Kalodite couldn't help but feel a little headache.

This attitude of asking for prices is obviously not interested in discussing the sale with him.

However, it would be too unlike him to just give up like this.

"But have you considered substitutability?" Pretentiously smiling, Kalodite continued, "We all know that the development of technology is very fast, and maybe after a few years, there are other more potential Are you sure that your patent can be sold at a higher price when the material appears? "

However, Lu Zhou just smiled and didn't show any concerns about the future that Kalodite described.

"I'm willing to take that risk."

Carlodit: "..."

Seeing that the Belgian brother stopped talking, Lu Zhou remained silent and peeled the lobster.

joke.

How much money the industry has spent on lithium anodes, don't you have a B number in mind?

Burning so much money for decades has not solved this problem. After the funding is cut off, which research institute has found a new way to solve this problem?

This possibility is not impossible, but low enough to be ignored.

Seeing that Lu Zhou had no intention of compromising, Kalodite sighed.

"Okay, let's not talk about the acquisition for now, at what price do you plan to license the patent?"

Hearing this question, Lu Zhou finally showed a satisfied smile.

Finally waited for this sentence.

In fact, he was thinking about this issue as early as two months ago, and even made some research on the lithium battery market.

The estimated global demand for lithium battery anode materials in 2016 is 138,000 tons. Judging from the current statistics, the actual demand this year should basically match the expectation.

Although this data corresponds to the graphite material and cannot be directly converted into an equivalent conversion with the lithium anode material, it still has a certain reference value.

After all, with the advantages of lithium anode materials in terms of cost and performance, and under the condition that safety issues have been properly resolved, the industry may eliminate graphite anodes much faster than he imagined.

For Lu Zhou, the most profitable cooperation method is undoubtedly to charge patent fees according to a certain percentage of the cost per ton of materials.

Considering the increase in demand, he can enjoy an "annual salary" of hundreds of millions of dollars with this patent for up to five years.

The trouble is, however, that the task of the system waits for no one.

According to this authorization method, Lu Zhou's asset growth this year can only rely on Princeton's annual salary of 400,000 US dollars.

So, he thought of a compromise.

It can not only ensure that he can obtain a considerable amount of income in the short term, but also ensure long-term benefits.

After a pause, Lu Zhou made his proposal.

"For the global market except the Huaguo region, I am willing to grant you the right to use the modified PDMS film patent for three years and the agency right at a price of 200 million U.S. dollars."

"During the three-year period, you will enjoy a substantial exclusive patent authorization for the global market outside of China, and I will no longer issue additional authorizations to third parties. In exchange, you will re-authorize the third party to generate I need to share 50% of the direct or indirect income, and at the same time bear all the corresponding legal obligations and responsibilities."

Originally, when he heard the quotation of 200 million US dollars, Kalodite was still a little bit disapproving.

However, when he heard Lu Zhou say something later, a look of surprise or excitement flashed across his eyes.

In principle, the patent itself is exclusive and monopolistic, but in the current laws of various countries, the interpretation of the exclusive right of intellectual property rights is not unlimited.

In theory, even if Umicore bought the patent of lithium anode materials at a price that Lu Zhou could not refuse, it would be impossible to monopolize the production of this product for 20 years and exclude other companies arbitrarily.

Because in addition to the "Patent Law", each country has its own "Anti-Monopoly Law", which clearly defines the abuse of intellectual property rights.

To put it simply, if a certain patent is "irreplaceable" and causes a company's market share in a certain region to constitute a monopoly fact, it may face anti-monopoly investigations.

If the lithium anode material replaces the graphite anode with an overwhelming advantage, before similar lithium anode materials appear, the modified PDMS thin film technology will undoubtedly meet the element of "irreplaceability".

For this type of patent, such as refusal to authorize, price discrimination and sky-high licensing fees, all behaviors that may constitute monopoly elements will touch the anti-monopoly regulations.

As for where the legal boundaries lie, it is necessary to conduct case studies based on various factors, and at the same time, it also requires an excellent team of lawyers to cooperate with the top management of the enterprise to make wild trials on the edge of danger.

With Lu Zhou's current ability, these showy operations are definitely impossible.

But Umicore is different.

This multinational chemical giant is more familiar with the rules than he is.

Even if it is for its own benefit, it will definitely increase the patent authorization fee as much as possible within legal limits, and expand its advantages in the negative electrode material market.

In the past three years, Lu Zhou has been able to continue to obtain a considerable amount of patent licensing fees, and Umicore can obtain the market competitiveness it wants.

In this regard, the interests of both parties are aligned.

Perfectly hiding the excitement that flashed in his pupils, Kalodite hesitated for a moment and said with a look of embarrassment on his face.

"Three years is too short. If it is five years, I can accept your proposal. You know, we only spent 10 million US dollars to obtain the authorization of LFP materials from Clariant Group..."

"There is no comparison." Lu Zhou smiled and shook his head. "LFP material is just a kind of cathode material with cost advantage. And don't think I don't know. The 10 million US dollars you mentioned is just the entry threshold. Every ton of LFP you produce Materials, have to pay $2,000 to a subsidiary of the Clariant Group.”

Being pierced face to face, Karodite's expression didn't change in any way.

As if he had made some kind of decision, he stared at Lu Zhou with piercing eyes, and only said one sentence.

"400 million!"

Hearing this number, Lu Zhou's heart skipped a beat.

Four hundred million dollars!

For him, it's not just about money, there are 400,000 free experience behind it...

To be honest, he was moved.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Zhou said slowly.

"Up to four years, this is my bottom line. After four years, if we have a good cooperation, I will consider renewing the contract with you at a new price. Or, I believe that the same contract, Nichia and 3M will be very impressed interest."

The last sentence seems to have played a decisive role.

Kalodite originally wanted to fight for it, but there were not many bargaining chips in the negotiation. After all, Lu Zhou was not restricted by others in terms of scientific research funding, and he was also a well-known scholar in the academic circle.

Especially thinking that Nichia might really be able to offer a higher price, many thoughts flashed through his mind, and finally he relaxed his shoulders and reluctantly made a concession.

"Well, you won, four years will be four years."