If everyone is reborn, who will work for capital?

Chapter 79 Eavesdropping

Upon hearing that Ma Chunmei was not a student at Jiaotong University, a hint of surprise flashed in Lin Zixia's eyes.

But she quickly composed herself, her smile fading slightly, and she slowly leaned back, patiently persuading him:

"Even without considering the school, you cannot avoid legal risks because 'If You Are the One' is our core intellectual property right, which involves huge commercial value."

"The production cycle for television programs is very long. Our program planning and project initiation started much earlier than your event. Most importantly, we had already registered the trademark for 'If You Are the One' a long time ago."

As she said this, Lin Zixia subconsciously picked up her now-cold coffee and took a sip.

Upon hearing this, Li Haipeng, sitting opposite him, felt a sudden tremor in his heart.

Could it be that Mr. Geng's previous prediction was wrong?

The production team actually applied for the trademark "非诚勿扰" a long time ago?

So why did Mr. Geng still receive two "Trademark Registration Application Acceptance Notices" issued by the Trademark Office of the State Intellectual Property Office?

He was unfamiliar with the trademark registration process and infringement determination, and at this moment he could not tell whether Lin Ziwei's words were true or false, so he forced himself to calm down and continue listening to her.

Setting down her coffee cup, Lin Zixia's tone remained gentle, but the meaning behind her words hardened:

"Our legal team has already studied the relevant cases. If we go into legal proceedings, we will not only require you to immediately stop the infringement and compensate for the losses, but the responsible parties will also face more serious consequences, which is something that a startup team like yours cannot afford."

"Our TV station is here to negotiate amicably with you, giving your college student entrepreneurial team an opportunity."

Li Haipeng stared at Lin Zixia with an inscrutable expression, but he didn't notice anything unusual on her face.

He remained silent for a few seconds, then forced himself to ask:

"Director Lin, are you threatening us with the law? We are college students, but we also know the rules and are reasonable. Since you've brought up the law, let me discuss it with you."

As he spoke, he calmly took out his laptop from his bag and opened it.

This time, Lin Zixia paused slightly in surprise.

Didn't Director Li say that college students have little social experience and are easily fooled?

Why is this student so calm, even... about to take the lead?

Seeing that her initial three-pronged attack had not had the desired effect, her initial momentum subtly weakened by three points.

Li Haipeng calmly opened the two electronic copies of the "Trademark Registration Application Acceptance Notice" and then steadily turned the screen towards Lin Zixia.

Lin Zixia, who had just been acting arrogantly, showed a noticeable change in expression after seeing the four large characters "非诚勿扰" (If You Are the One) on the "Trademark Registration Application Acceptance Notice".

She was clearly less knowledgeable about the specific rules of trademarks than the legal professionals, but the "Acceptance Notice" and the application date were clearly there.

Li Haipeng's confident attitude made her panic even more.

After keenly noticing the obvious change in Lin Zixia's expression, Li Haipeng concluded that Lin Zixia was either lying when she said she had "applied for a trademark," or that the trademark application was later than Geng Zhi's.

His confidence instantly returned, and pointing at the screen, he continued solemnly:

"According to the 'first-to-file' principle of the Trademark Law, any subsequent application for the same or similar trademarks on the same services will be rejected after these two applications."

"So, Director Lin, the legal risks you just mentioned do indeed need to be carefully assessed. However, perhaps it is not us who need to be carefully assessed, but your station's program team."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zixia's expression changed instantly. The carefully constructed framework of pressure she had built completely collapsed at this moment, and her previous composure and sense of superiority vanished.

She tried her best to maintain a professional demeanor, and calmly reviewed the contents of the "Trademark Registration Application Acceptance Notice" again:

"Class 41...Class 45...Applicant—Geng Zhi??"

When she saw that the applicant was "Gengzhi" instead of "Meihao Xiangyu Company," it was as if she had grasped at a straw again. She quickly pointed to the applicant section on the screen and said:

"Li, the trademark applicant isn't your 'Beautiful Encounter' company, it's this individual named 'Gengzhi'!"

"Yes, Mr. Geng is the co-founder and CTO of our company, Beautiful Encounters," Li Haipeng replied frankly.

Seeing Lin Zixia's expression darken again, his tone softened slightly, but his stance became even clearer:

"Our CTO, Mr. Geng, also asked me to convey that everything is negotiable, but true cooperation should be based on mutual respect and win-win outcomes. If your station is here today with an attitude of exerting pressure, then I think there is no need for us to continue talking."

As instructed by Geng Zhi, Li Haipeng both launched a threatening counterattack and left room for further negotiations.

Lin Zixia was speechless for a moment, as she really didn't quite understand the legal relationship involved.

She quickly adjusted her strategy, forced a smile, and lowered her stance:

"Li, regarding the legal issues concerning trademarks, I need to confirm them with the station's legal department again. This document… could I take a picture and give it to my supervisor for a detailed report?"

"Of course, please go ahead." Li Haipeng gestured for him to proceed.

Lin Zixia quickly took two photos with her phone, gestured to Li Haipeng, and then walked to the Starbucks entrance to call and report to production manager Li Shaobin.

"Director Li! There's been a major change. The trademark for 'If You Are the One' has been registered by someone named Geng Zhi! I'm sending you a picture; could you check its authenticity and think of a solution?"

Just as she was standing at the door, speaking urgently in a low voice, Geng Zhi happened to stroll to the Starbucks entrance, intending to go in and witness the "red-faced" negotiation.

Lin Zixia's words, "Be straightforward and register first," clearly reached his ears.

Without changing his expression, he naturally bent down and squatted down, pretending to tie his shoelaces.

As he listened, he simply turned to the side of Lin Zixia, untied all his shoelaces, and then re-laced them one by one.

As she dressed, fragments of Lin Zixia's words drifted into her ears.

"Director Li, if what you're saying is true, we'll most likely lose the case..."

"I strongly advise against doing this. They're already prepared. If we force it, and they release a news story about 'TV station bullying college student entrepreneurs,' it'll ruin the show's reputation..."

"It's too late for us to change the name now..."

"If it takes at least seven or eight months for their trademark to actually take effect..."

"I agree with your point. We should first try to keep him on our side with more attractive cooperation offers, and then slowly discuss the trademark transfer with him..."