Open business day-to-day

Chapter 368 Trademark Infringement
In the conference room of Tencent headquarters in Shenzhen, a meeting about Weiyang Technology is being held.

Brother Xiao Ma spoke first and introduced the general situation.

Looking around, he said, "That's the way it is. It's better for everyone to see how to solve it."

Zhang Zhidong, one of the founders of Tencent, said: "I don't think there is any need to go to war. Weiyang Technology poses a certain threat to us, but there are many domestic companies that threaten us. Waste of energy here will only delay the company's development. "

"Furthermore, competing companies in the Weibo field are doomed to be difficult to win. To be clear, from the establishment of Tencent Weibo to the present, no matter how hard we try, we are only the second in ten thousand years, and now we are reduced to the third. This has already explained the problem. .”

"Everyone has reached a consensus in previous meetings on this point. As long as the Weibo field maintains a good sense of presence, it can gradually reduce resources and financial investment, and use the saved resources to promote WeChat."

"Compared to the fierce and cruel competition in the Weibo field, we have never been able to gain an advantage. Mobile social software such as WeChat is our strength, and it has always been the foundation of the company."

"And the competition is very small, basically there is no rival. In the past, only Xiaomi's Michat was one step ahead of us, but some time ago, after we started to focus on WeChat, Xiaomi has given up on Michat, a social software, and began to devote all its energy to it. to mobile phone development.”

"It can be said that the domestic mobile social networking market is a brand-new blue ocean. We WeChat is the only one with no rivals. We should take this opportunity to consolidate our advantages and occupy the entire domestic market once and for all, so as not to let a threatening company exist in this field." Opponents exist."

"Companies can't leave WeChat as a way to reach the sky, and have to circle around in the quagmire of Weibo. Tencent Weibo doesn't need to develop very well, as long as it maintains a certain sense of existence and keeps other companies in check. Even in the future, when WeChat is up, give up WeChat. Gambling business is not impossible.”

Another founder, Zeng Liqing, also nodded in agreement: "Zhidong's words are very reasonable. The company's next focus should be on WeChat and Weibo, which is a quagmire. We just need to maintain a sense of presence, and there is no need to invest too much. competition for resources."

"Weiyang Weibo seems to be a certain threat, but is it as big a threat to us as Kaixin.com and Renren.com? These two are now social networking sites with more than [-] million registered users. Although they have gone downhill, But still our main competitor on social."

"For this matter, I don't think we can make a big deal out of it. Weiyang Weibo is very powerful. In the recent period, two big shots have been made, with 90 billion invested, and our company's total profit last year was only 80 billion."

"Although we are not afraid of competition, it is too unwise to fight with them for no reason. Moreover, Weiyang Technology has already established a firm foothold in the Internet industry. Even if we compete fiercely with the other party, it will be difficult to shake the other party's confidence foundation."

"It's better to use other means. It doesn't need to consume too many resources. It's enough to make a stumbling block and hinder the development of the other party."

Brother Xiao Ma nodded: "What you said is all reasonable. After being scolded and criticized by the media a few times, you can't bear your temper, waste resources and energy to viciously compete with Weiyang Technology, and let other companies and the media take advantage of it and see jokes .It is unwise and undesirable!"

"But in the current situation, we have been compared with the other party by the media twice, and we have been compared by the other party. In this case, we have to fight back and show the company's attitude."

"However, we need to control the heat and avoid brainless competition. It is best to disrupt the opponent's development pace at the least cost. What method do you think is better?"

Another founder, Chen Yidan, said: "I have an idea, you don't need to spend any resources, you can make the other party suffer a dumb loss, and you can't make a mistake!"

Little Ma asked curiously, "What way?"

Chen Yidan smiled and said, "Why does Weiyang Weibo have such a high number of daily active users, and why does it still stand out in such cruel competition?"

"There are many reasons. They are indeed excellent in many aspects and have launched many innovative functions, but there is one thing that cannot be ignored, and it is also the core problem."

"They have added a circle of friends function on Weibo. Although the media attribute of the platform has been weakened, the social attribute has been greatly strengthened. This is undoubtedly the most important point, and it is also where we think it is a threat."

"Since this is the case, how about starting with the function of the circle of friends? Don't forget that the trademark of the circle of friends is in our hands."

Zhang Zhidong came to his senses: "You mean to learn from the Chuangbo Asia-Pacific technology company in Shandong and sue Weiyang Technology for infringing the trademark rights of our circle of friends."

Chen Yidan nodded and said: "Exactly, this method doesn't cost any resources, and it can make the other party suffer a dumb loss, so I have to accept it."

"I am mainly responsible for the trademark. Last time, because of the Chuangbo Asia-Pacific Technology Company, it caused a lot of trouble for the company. This time, it can be regarded as a gain in wisdom!"

Zhang Zhidong said: "This is actually not your fault. You started to register the trademark on the third day after WeChat was released, but who would have thought that the Chuangbo Asia Pacific Company in Shandong would have registered the WeChat account more than two months before the release of WeChat?" The trademark is registered."

"At that time, within the company, WeChat had just been developed, and there were several candidate names, and the name WeChat had not been confirmed yet. I really don't blame you for this."

Chen Yidan still insisted: "You don't need to talk about it, Zhidong. I really have a great responsibility for this matter. I will properly solve it and make up for the previous omissions."

Zeng Liqing also comforted: "WeChat was just an experimental software before it was released. No one knew that it performed so well. You did nothing wrong at that time."

"Let's talk about trademarks. Not only are we negligent, Ali is not the same. Double 11 was launched in 11, and the double 11 trademark has not been registered until this year when we heard that our WeChat trademark was registered in advance by other companies. Come here, hurry up and apply for the double [-] trademark. Besides, we rarely encountered this kind of trademark squatting before, and you have handled it very well."

Brother Xiao Ma also said at this time: "Yidan, I was also negligent in this matter, so don't seek responsibility."

"What's the attitude of Chuangbo Asia Pacific now? Let's ask for 300 million yuan. Is the other party still not letting go?"

Chen Yidan said angrily: "They still cling to the 1000 million and don't let go, their mouths are very tight, we really think we are made of mud. I would rather spend 1000 million in a lawsuit to get back the trademark on WeChat, and I don't want to give the other party a dime .”

Zhang Zhidong also said angrily: "For a trademark, they will open their mouths like a lion. If they dare to ask for 1000 million, they must not be used to it. If you don't believe me, you won't get it back if you go to court with them."

Brother Xiao Ma also said at this time: "It's true that you can't spoil the other party. However, WeChat now has nearly 4000 million users and has great potential for development. This matter needs to be dealt with as soon as possible, and there must be no omissions."

"Since the other party is so ignorant, we have to go through legal procedures!"

"Yidan, you were the one who communicated with the court recently. It is said that the situation is good. How is it now?"

Chen Yidan said: "The situation is good. I have communicated with the court. Although Chuangbo Asia Pacific Technology Co., Ltd. applied for the WeChat trademark more than two months earlier than us, they have not launched a product called WeChat, nor have they promoted WeChat. The brand."

"The current influence of WeChat is all created by our company's operation and promotion of WeChat."

"Although the other party owns the trademark of WeChat, it has not done any valuable actions, and it is a small company. Moreover, a small company of the other party actually holds more than a dozen trademarks, and it is suspected of using the trademark for malicious profit. This aspect is extremely serious to us. favorable."

"There will be two more court sessions at most. If there is no accident, the other party will lose the case."

Brother Xiao Ma nodded in satisfaction and said, "You must always pay attention to this matter. WeChat is our main product in the next stage, and there must be no omissions."

Chen Yidan nodded in agreement. He was sure about this matter. As for the Chuangbo Asia Pacific Technology Company, it was a lion to ask for 1000 million, and you couldn't get a dime.

……

(As it involves the follow-up plot, I will explain it specially. This is true. More than two months before the release of WeChat, a technology company in Shandong called Chuangbo Asia-Pacific registered the trademark of WeChat.

On the third day after WeChat was released, Tencent began to register the WeChat trademark. This process is not short.The application was submitted for a period of time, but it was returned without incident. After a check, it was found that it had been registered by another company.

If you want to buy it, the other party sees that it is Tencent and asks a high price. Naturally, Tencent does not want to be taken advantage of.

Then the two sides began to fight a lawsuit. It was not until the end of 2011 that WeChat registered users exceeded 5000 million. Tencent won the lawsuit, and the WeChat trademark was owned by Tencent.

In short, the court held that although Chuangbo Asia-Pacific Company applied for the registration of the "WeChat" trademark in advance, it is difficult to say that it has the inherent distinctiveness required by the trademark law.

Various evidences show that Chuangbo Asia Pacific Company did not put the "WeChat" trademark into the market for use.

On the contrary, Tencent has made extensive use of the "WeChat" trademark, and consumers have associated the "WeChat" trademark with the information and communication services provided by Tencent. "WeChat" has been endowed with a "second meaning" by Tencent, which has the legal basis for trademark registration and trademark law protection.

According to the current timeline in the book, the WeChat trademark does not yet belong to Tencent, and the two parties are fighting for the right to own it.Specific events can be found online. )
……

The issue of the ownership of the WeChat trademark was discussed, and the topic returned to Weiyang Technology.

Brother Xiao Ma looked around: "We have the trademark of Moments in our hands, and use this to sue Weiyang for infringement on Weiyang Weibo, what do you think of this method?"

Zhang Zhidong said: "I think this method is feasible. You don't need to spend a lot of time with the other party, and you don't need to invest too much resources. As long as you sue in court, it will be enough for the other party to drink a pot. Moreover, the trademark of Moments is in our hands. Can't turn the board over either."

"Although it may not cause much harm to Weiyang Technology, but if we can hit the opponent and hinder the opponent's development pace, our goal will be achieved."

Zeng Liqing also nodded and said: "I also agree with this method. The trademark is in our hands, and the law is on our side. The other party cannot win the lawsuit."

"Even if we can entangle with us for a period of time, we will inevitably lose the lawsuit in the end. Weibo Moments not only needs to be adjusted, but also needs to be compensated for our losses."

"The founder of the other party is only in his early twenties, and he has not suffered any setbacks in his life. If he is hit suddenly, he may lose his sense of proportion and make a wrong decision, which will affect the development of Weiyang Technology."

"Even if we have withstood the setbacks, that kind of courageous and diligent energy will definitely drop a lot, reducing the threat to our company."

Subsequently, many executives of the company also expressed their opinions and support...

Brother Xiao Ma nodded in satisfaction: "Since everyone supports it, this matter has been settled."

Then he looked at Chen Yidan and said, "Yidan, you are still in charge of this matter."

Chen Yidan said solemnly: "Don't worry! I'll definitely teach them well. Starting a business is not easy!"

Then the meeting officially ended, and the matter was quickly executed.

……

Weiyang Technology, Lin Rui came to the company in the morning, and after turning around to finish the work at hand, he was free again.

With another vice president joining the job two days ago, Lin Rui had a lot less work to worry about.

As for why another vice president was recruited, it is because as the company grows bigger, there are more and more things to worry about.Lin Rui is also more Buddhist, a bit salty, and will devote himself to things he likes, but will start to be lazy when encountering tedious things.

Simply recruit more high-end talents so that he can focus on the general direction and control, and don't waste energy on trivial matters.

The new vice president is Liu Heng, 39 years old, graduated from Tsinghua University, then went to Stanford to study abroad, and has been working abroad after graduating from Ph.D.

Until returning to China the year before last, he joined a large domestic Internet company and served as the boss of the Modu branch. He performed very well in all aspects and was very capable.

Then Lin Rui fell in love with him. Through a headhunting company, it took more than two months to scoop him up and serve as the vice president of Weiyang Technology.

Of course, the main thing is that Weiyang Technology does have an advantage.

There are many choices in life. I am working as a branch manager in a large Internet company that has already started a successful business. I am surrounded by founders and veterans. I don’t know when I will be able to enter the headquarters and become a real senior executive of the company.

Or join a startup company with great potential and strength, directly become the top few executives, and be the company's entrepreneurial veteran.

When these two companies are in front of you, how to choose is not difficult.

Those who are content with the status quo may choose the first company, because this company has been successful and has a relatively stable job, which is more suitable for retirement.

Those who are more aggressive and ambitious will choose the second company to accompany a start-up company with great potential to success. Not only will they have a sense of accomplishment, but they will also get great financial returns.

Although there is also the possibility of failure, it requires more energy and time than the first one, but many people are willing to give it a go.

Maybe the bicycle becomes a motorcycle!

Liu Heng is obviously this kind of ambitious, aggressive and restless person.

Weiyang Technology, which is still in the entrepreneurial stage, also needs such people.Competent, ambitious, restless with the status quo, full of imagination for the future.

(End of this chapter)