Ethan! You'd better prepare to go to jail!

Chapter 68 Ethan! You'd better prepare to go to jail!

Before parting, Barbara specifically reminded Ethan of one thing: to find out whether Atari had been sued by Milrowa.

Because patent infringement cases generally involve two parties in law.

The first subject is the patent infringer, which refers to a person or entity that directly or indirectly participates in patent infringement activities, and the scope includes, but is not limited to, infringement of technical features and technical content.

The second entity is the actual operator, which refers to a person or entity that has control or participation in the infringing act, such as the seller of the infringing product or the distributor who has obtained the right to manufacture and sell it.

Of course, there are times when the same person or entity is involved in the infringement of two subjects at the same time, so the complaint only shows the name of one person or entity.

However, Snake Game clearly does not fit the latter situation. It was invented by Ethan and Evelyn and distributed by Atari, so Ethan and Evelyn are the patent infringers, while Atari is the actual operator.

In this situation, how could Atari possibly escape legal punishment after Ethan and Evelyn were sued by Milrova? In most cases, when dealing with such obvious infringement cases, the plaintiff will file a joint lawsuit against the patent infringer and the actual operator, listing them in the same complaint for the court to hear together.

But now, the indictment Ethan and Evelyn received doesn't mention Atari's name, which can only prove one thing...

Milrohua's requirements for both sides were different.

"Snapped!"

On the evening of September 16, 1975, Atari, which should have been closed for the day, was brightly lit.

Nolan Bushnell angrily slammed the indictment he had received in front of Ethan.

His bulging veins on the back of his hand revealed his dissatisfaction, and his bloodshot eyes blazed with anger.

"Ethan Jones!!!"

"Why did things turn out this way???"

Nolan Bushnell glared at Ethan with bloodshot eyes, roaring, "As a former employee of Mirova, didn't you know that Mirova held the patent for video games and training devices? Why were you peddling 'Snake Game' arcade machines around without obtaining authorization? Do you know that your actions are going to kill Atari?"

"hold head high?"

The hysterical voice made Ethan's ears ring.

If it had been just a few hours earlier, when Ethan had received the court summons and Milrova's lawsuit, he would certainly have argued his case, feeling he had the upper hand in the face of Nolan Bushnell's roar. But after Barbara showed them Milrova's patents, all Ethan could do now was calmly pick up the lawsuit Milrova had sent to Atari and read its contents.

It's okay if you don't look, but once you do...

Ethan felt that Barbara was absolutely right.

In the lawsuits filed against Ethan and Evelyn, Mirova demanded that they cease infringement and pay millions in damages. In the lawsuits filed against Atari, in addition to demanding that they cease infringement and pay millions in damages, Mirova also demanded that it recall and destroy all infringing products on the market.

Of these three conditions, compensation is the most normal and unavoidable, and ceasing infringement is the right thing to do, but it is impossible for the defendant because games have to be sold no matter what. As for recalling and destroying all infringing products from the market?

That's a bit of nonsense.

How many copies of Snake Game were sold in total?

Including the circuit boards, it must be at least eight thousand, if not ten thousand!

With such massive shipments distributed throughout America, do Mirova and his team want Atari to recycle and destroy all those sold arcade machines and circuit boards? What's the difference between that and killing them?

Leaving aside whether customers who spend money to play games would agree, the arcade merchants who buy the machines would never agree!

They were making a fortune from the arcade game "Snake Game", and now this happens?

Are you trying to kill them?!

Although Ethan was aware that the whole situation was very serious, he never expected that Milova would offer such terms.

He wanted to curse loudly, but after pursing his lips, he held back.

He was currently in Atari, not beside Evelyn, and could not freely reveal his true thoughts.

So he looked at the indictment in his hand with a puzzled expression, as if he had just received the news.

"Nolan, what's going on? Why would Milrova file a lawsuit? I went to San Francisco today to attend the IEEE Electronics Show there. I was quite busy all day, so I don't know anything about these things."

After reviewing the complaint, he raised his head slightly and gave Nolan a puzzled look. "I need to consult a lawyer about the contents of the complaint. Please give me some time to see if there is any misunderstanding."

That's right, Ethan is planning to stall for time.

He needs to tell Barbara the contents of the lawsuit Atari received.

He will not respond until the monk gives him guidance.

However, just as Ethan was wondering if Mirowa and his group had eaten shit and gone mad, a document landed in front of him with a thud, followed by another figure.

"MFxxk! — Ethan! What are you playing dumb for!"

"When Milrohua's lawyer delivered the summons and copies of the complaint to us, they said they were also suing you!"

"You clearly received a court summons, but now you're telling me you don't know what's going on?"

Do you think we're idiots?

Don Valentine slammed his fists on the table.

The roar, powerful enough to lift the roof off, made Ethan curse inwardly.

"These stupid lawyers are way too nosy!"

But his expression remained unmoved.

"I told you, this might be a misunderstanding," Ethan said in as calm a tone as possible.

However, his attitude only made Don Valentine even more furious.

He leaned forward abruptly, bracing himself on the table with both hands, staring intently at Ethan like a hungry wolf—

"As a former employee of Mirova, you're telling us there's a misunderstanding in this matter?"

Do you think I believe that?

He slightly raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and forcefully tapped the document that had just been thrown out.

"A copy of Milrova's patent is right here!"

"The copy of the indictment they gave us is also here!"

"If you say you don't understand these things, then I'll give you time to take a good look!"

"I hope you can find the word 'misunderstanding' in this contract, which is written in black and white!"

"With such clear facts laid out before you, do you still want to deny it?"

The voice, swift as thunder, made Ethan glance down.

When he saw the copy of the patent 'US3728480 A', he knew that Atari might have figured out the whole case.

But what can we do about it?

Ethan knew Don Valentine and Nolan Bushnell were annoying, but he was even more annoyed!

Turning his gaze away, Ethan sighed softly and said, "I know you're all anxious, but I can't answer your questions right now. I haven't studied law, so I need to find my lawyer and talk to him before I can get a possible answer."

Ethan felt that his answer was acceptable.

Although he knew he had violated Milova's rights, he couldn't just admit to something like that, right?

Because these things carry legal consequences!

Honesty at this point isn't honesty! That's just plain stupid! It's suicidal!

However, Ethan's humble yet assertive attitude acted like a match, completely igniting Don Valentine, who was like a powder keg.

With a loud 'bang,' he slammed his hands on the table and leaped into the air.

"Okay! Okay! Okay!"

Don Valentine's chest heaved, and he gasped for breath.

"Ethan Jones—"

He put his hands on his hips and looked at Ethan.

"Are you sure this is your own choice?"

"We want to discuss things with you! But you keep making excuses! We want to find a lawyer! To resolve this issue through legal means!"

"Can!"

"I'll grant your wish!"

He paused here.

Then, he thrust his right hand forward, pointing his index finger at Ethan, and roared, "I'm telling you! Atari will be suing you tomorrow!"

"We are suing you for deliberately concealing the fact that your products infringe on our copyright! We are suing you for deliberately selling infringing products to Atari!"

This is commercial fraud!

"You must take responsibility for this! Bear all of Atari's losses!"

"I, Don Valentine, am informing you now as the de facto controller of Atari! We will reach a settlement with Mirova! We will meet all their demands! We will cease sales of 'Snake Game'! We will compensate them for their millions in losses as they demand! And we will recall all 'Snake Game' arcade machines and circuit boards from the market! As for the money involved in these matters—"

"You'll be responsible for all of this!!!"

As he roared, Don Valentine drew out his voice, his crimson face contorted in a ferocious grimace, and his bloodthirsty eyes revealed a ruthless intent.

"Ethan Jones—"

"Didn't you want to talk about the law?"

"Then you should prepare to go to jail!"

(End of this chapter)