Second Time is a Charm
Episode 36
I disagree.
It's so thoughtless
to make trouble for the Eraser
in publicity rashly.
Lawyer Xu, here is the thing.
Let Lawyer Xu finish his words.
It's unreasonable,
not rigorous
and full of holes for us
to say that the Eraser does not respect the author
and the copyright
and rashly steal the images
of the comic characters
without any authorization.
Once the other side makes a false countercharge,
it will only put us in a more passive situation.
We are merely seeking truth from facts.
And with the reputation of Extraordinary Studio and me
over the years,
I'm sure the Eraser will give in.
Mr. Yu, you're too optimistic.
The Eraser is now facing a key node
in the release of new products.
Its head Bai Jinyu
is in the state of the battle.
He is responsible for the project,
the Eraser,
and even the investors and shareholders
behind the project.
He does not allow himself
to have any failures and errors.
If we rashly involve public opinion,
we will only leave Bai Jinyu with no way out.
By then he may burn his boats
and insist there is nothing wrong with him.
And once he makes it,
it proves there is something wrong with us.
He won't make it.
We have a lot of witnesses and physical evidence to prove that
the copyright belongs to the author.
Yes, we have the evidence,
but we aren't completely sure.
After all, the Eraser
already had the comic images registered and filed
in the copyright center.
You know how hard it is
to obtain the evidence of the copyright.
Then do you mean
we have to go on keeping silent?
Surely not.
I will try my best to fight for your best rights and interests
within a reasonable range.
The author has complete trust in us.
Is all we can do when they need help
is to help them get the maximum rights and interests
within a reasonable range?
Reality is so cruel.
Copyright law is not absolutely fair
to the author.
Recognizing the facts and arguing on the basis of reason
is the first step.
If you want to sound,
you'd better make all the preparations
before doing it.
No.
I insist on sounding as soon as possible.
Now the Eraser
set a bad example.
Next many companies
will follow it.
We can't control so many companies.
Let's protect ourselves first.
OK?
I hope we can strive
to cooperate with the Eraser.
In the course of the cooperation,
we try to seek the most interests for the author.
In this way, we can get a double advantage.
First, we protect the author.
Second,
it sets a good example
for all the non-signed authors
of Extraordinary Studio, OK?
Lawyer Xu,
do you think
I'm not concerned about the author's feelings
by such a deed of considering the situation as a whole?
Instead, I care about her very much,
and I want to help her get the greatest rights and interests.
More importantly,
I know her better than you,
and I know Extraordinary Studio better than you do.
I know what
the best way to protect them is,
so I insist on my idea
to sound as soon as possible.
OK.
As the legal adviser of Extraordinary Studio,
I have the responsibility
to give you rationalized suggestions at the legal level.
But surely you have the final power to decide
whether to adopt or deny it.
But I have an obligation
to tell you what may happen in the future.
If you act arbitrarily
and insist on publishing the statement
to condemn the Eraser,
I can tell you responsibly that
you're going to face
the Eraser's mad counterattacks.
I'm done with what I have to say.
Go on having the meeting.
I'll leave.
Coffee's ready.
Then go on with your work.
Can you see?
You call me in the right time.
What's the matter with you? Your face looks white.
Didn't you go for a vacation?
No.
I am caught to work overtime on vacation.
You really work so hard.
It's because of the matter of Mr. Yu's ex-wife.
Because of An An?
Let me tell you.
You aren't here,
so you didn't see
our boss
was nearly quarreling with Lawyer Xu.
I can find he loves his ex-wife so much
from his words.
I don't know how Lawyer Xu felt
after hearing that.
I won't talk with you.
I need to add some coffee for them.
I'll call you later.
Bye-bye.
Are you OK?
What do you mean?
Why did you come back in advance?
I suddenly had something important to deal with in Shanghai,
so I came back.
I thought it was something else.
There's nothing else but work.
Did you see?
What?
Are you angry?
Well,
can you make it clear?
As a lawyer,
I hate one's word does not express his idea.
I also hate ambiguity.
If you have any questions, you can ask me.
If you want to say anything, just say it.
And don't use a question
as the beginning of our subject.
Because I really don't know
what you're trying to say.
I mean that night...
We...
And then?
I got drunk.
So?
So Yu Feifan and I...
Anyhow I just got drunk.
I was smashed.
OK.
I see.
That's all?
Otherwise? What do you want me to say?
Aren't you angry?
Give me a reason to be angry.
Well,
I am self-sentimental.
Wait a moment.
Repeat it.
What do you mean
by using that word to me?
I don't want you to misunderstand me.
I don't.
And...
And can you finish at a time?
Don't you really
have any interest in
what happened that night?
No.
And I advise you
to forget your vacation soon.
Isn't it more important for you
to solve the problem now?
I'm already trying to solve it.
That's good.
I'm leaving.
Startling news. Read now.
What?
Yu Feifan Challenges the Eraser
to Strive for the Author's Rights and Interests.
- Well, let me see. Let me see. - Yu Feifan?
There is also news about "Extraordinary Comics".
What are you reading?
Why don't you eat?
Read. Read it.
Let me read.
Mr. Bai.
I thought Yu Feifan was a smart man.
Unexpectedly, he was so impulsive at a critical moment.
It's heard the author An An
seems to be Mr. Yu's ex-wife.
Though they divorced,
they still love each other.
There's gossip that
they may remarry.
Is it true?
By the way, an investor just called
and asked what to do with this.
Since the first game
of us Eraser became popular,
Yu Feifan wanted
to cooperate with me.
I showed my sincerity this time,
but he refused.
After I worked it out myself,
he becomes angry.
Well,
there is indeed something wrong
with the thought of these cultural creators.
So troublesome.
So what I had worried about
still happened.
Yu Feifan has always been favored by public opinion throughout the year.
They had these articles published this time...
They just go against me on purpose.
In the release time of new products,
we get much attention.
If something goes wrong,
I'm done with the project.
Mr. Bai,
I've hired a lawyer.
According to the lawyer's professional advice, we should launch counterattacks in time.
After all, we have
the copyright of the comic images.
This is very good evidence.
What do you mean?
According to the lawyer, we should sue
Extraordinary Studio in turn?
It isn't good to go against Yu Feifan openly.
And he is
an influential public figure.
Can we have a chance to win?
The lawyer took it into account, too.
So we shouldn't sue Extraordinary Studio,
but the author herself.
Sit and talk.
First of all,
the author is not restricted and protected by Extraordinary Studio
as the non-signed author of "Extraordinary Comics".
If we sue the author,
Yu Feifan has no position to say anything.
In public,
we only need to say
this is a misunderstanding
between us Eraser and Extraordinary Studio
because of the author's private change
for more copyright fee without permission.
Second,
we're not going to win,
but to guide public opinion.
We should convince people that
both Eraser and Extraordinary Studio
are victims
and the author is the key to the problem.
The last but most important,
we must prove that
Wang Xiaobai and Miao Xiaohei
were first designed by us.
It's impossible.
We don't have evidence material
by then.
We have.
Mr. Bai accepted the advice.
Thank you very much for this time.
Boss.
Come in.
There's a lawyer's letter
from the Eraser
to Extraordinary Studio.
Did you read it?
Yes, nothing important.
Didn't you say that once Mr. Yu
launched a public opinion offensive to safeguard the author's copyright,
Bai Jinyu would certainly do something?
Now we receive a lawyer's letter
to warn Extraordinary Studio
not to spread false information on the network
with the advantage of its own public opinion.
He doesn't even mention copyright.
I thought we would receive court summons.
There're court summons, but we don't receive them.
Read yourself.
Since you came, there has been a state of chaos.
How come?
A few days ago, I saw Extraordinary Studio...
Mr. Yu shouldn't have spoken for you.
To protect you,
he challenges the Eraser so openly,
which must irritate them.
They're publicizing their new products,
so they launch fierce attacks on you.
I planned to talk with Bai Jinyu
and tell him if he and I could cooperate,
we'd better not waste time on the fight.
Cooperate?
They just began to publicize their new games,
but Mr. Yu destroys their plan wildly and fiercely.
Do you think it's possible to cooperate?
Let's not talk about this.
I call you here
to tell you something.
Go ahead.
I'm also an author.
I can understand you.
But you need to understand me, too.
We Dawang Studio have
enjoyed a good reputation in the industry.
We never raised a high price
for more money.
Nor did I.
I know their allegations
are for their own purpose,
but my trust is useless.
Although it has been your personal business
to serialize vertical comics in "Extraordinary Comics",
you're my studio's assistant after all.
Please handle this matter well.
They said they would sue you now.
It's not a little thing for an author.
If you really go to court,
I don't want to offend anyone,
and I can't help you.
If all of us are embarrassed at last,
then I can only ask you to leave.
Lawyer, Lawyer Xu.
No, Lawyer Xu.
You, you can't...
Lawyer Xu.
Mr. Yu, well...
I can't stop him.
Go to handle your own work.
Sit.
I know why you came.
Then you should know
what to do next.
Lawyer Xu,
I hope you can
stand on the same line with me
as the legal adviser of my studio.
Without doubt,
I believe our goals are the same.
But if we choose the wrong way,
we can't achieve the goal and result we want.
So you still want to
cooperate with the Eraser?
First of all, revoke those articles
that attack the Eraser,
and then bind the author
and Extraordinary Studio together
to persuade the Eraser to withdraw the action,
which can guarantee the rights and interests of the author.
The storm can be quelled.
I'll talk to Bai Jinyu personally.
This is how you protect Ann.
You make accommodations for the sake of overall interests
and keep making concessions.
I'm weighing the pros and cons to obtain balance.
It seems that
you can't help me in this matter.
Mr. Yu, you refused to take my advice,
and insisted on attacking the Eraser.
Now you saw the result.
They're just trying to control the situation.
Sent a lawyer's letter to my studio
and threatened that they would sue An An.
These are strategies
and common means of crisis public relations.
There won't be further moves.
I want to remind you again.
They have the copyright.
We don't even know
what other chips they have.
If we bet with them in this way,
we'll suffer a big defeat.
Lawyer Xu,
I won't revoke the articles
which were publicized.
And I will definitely let Bai Jinyu
give An An and me an explanation.
Yu Feifan,
now it's the last decisive time
when you still have a chance to save the situation.
If you miss this chance,
it's so late for you to do anything else.
By then, you and others
can't save this situation.
Have you finished?
Yes.
You can leave.
OK.
According to my public relations experience,
such a matter is just bluster.
They said they would sue you,
but at last maybe they won't do it.
But it's clearly written in the official Weibo.
Sure.
They just began to launch
the publicity of new products.
Mr. Tang and I decided
to talk with Bai Jinyu.
Before Yu Feifan protected you
so openly,
you could talk with him,
but he doesn't
cooperate with you now.
Then what can I do?
If Yu Feifan figures it out now
and goes talk to Bai Jinyu,
maybe there will be a favorable turn for this matter.
But as he challenged the Eraser openly, it's not optimistic.
It's likely that you'll have to be sacrificed in the end
to save themselves.
After all, the author is the most vulnerable party.
As a non-singed unknown author,
you're even likely to be treated as cannon fodder.
Qiu Tian,
I'm really starting to be scared.
If I am really sued,
I am afraid I may
lose my work
at Dawang Studio first.
Don't be scared.
It's useless.
You missed the best time
to turn the tables.
Next...
What can I do next?
Next you have to resign yourself to fate.
Terrible.
I usually have bad luck
in such matters.
You still have us.
I'll think out ways for you.
Let me talk with Feifan again.
So strange.
Why does he get entangled with Bai Jinyu
in this matter?
Let me talk about this
with Lei Yuhao.
Let's have a talk.
Where?
Go to my home.
Then I'll go.
These are...
I need to collect all the information
related to your vertical comics as soon as possible.
What do you want to do?
Obtain evidence.
You also know?
Extraordinary Studio
received a lawyer's letter from the Eraser
and was warned
not to spread false information online
and maliciously attack them,
but Yu Feifan does not seem
to change his strategy.
I'm not the signing author of "Extraordinary Comics".
As their lawyer,
you have no obligation to help me.
So,
we're going to talk about this now, right?
Sorry.
I never met such a matter.
I don't know what I should say.
So I'm teaching you what to do.
You need to try to collect all the materials
to prove that you're the original author, understand?
I am the author.
Do I need to prove it?
Everyone who has read my comics knows that.
But the copyright is in the hands of the other party.
I'm very clear what kind of pressure
Bai Jinyu is now facing.
Extraordinary Studio
was supposed to cooperate with the Eraser.
In his present situation,
Bai Jinyu won't give up.
He'll sue you.
So according to my judgment,
it won't take long for you
to get the court summons.
Has it been so serious?
Now I am not sure
how the lawyer of the other party
will give a false account of this matter in court.
I tried to call them,
but they refused every time.
But I'm the author obviously.
They took my copyright,
and now they're going to sue me.
That's what reality is.
We don't have time to think of that.
You'll win, right?
You're a lawyer without any failure.
You're sure,
right?
Goddess,
it's heard you left Yu's Group.
Yes.
Then do you plan to go back to the UK?
I planned to,
but now I change my mind.
I think you hate to part from us.
Seeing you have a good life,
surely I don't want to part from you.
Anyhow, I don't have a home there.
It's almost the same for me to stay in London and Shanghai.
Hello, lawyers.
Are you free tonight? Why not eat together?
I am free.
No, I don't have time.
Did you offend her?
Who? I didn't offend her.
I think it's you who offended her.
Me?
I asked you to try to collect
as many manuscripts as you can.
Only these?
Both electronic and hand-drawn ones
are here.
They're far from enough.
Don't take it. Don't take it. Don't take it.
Well, how mean you are.
It's not for you.
This is for boss and An An.
I'll make it for you later.
What are they doing inside?
They've been inside for three hours.
Is there any result?
I also want to know,
or I wouldn't make coffee for them.
Good idea.
Go. Let's ask them together.
OK.
Excuse me.
Well, have a break.
Have a cup of coffee and take a break.
Yes. Take a break. Take a break.
Take a break.
How are you doing with the evidence?
If you make any progress, just tell us.
We'll assist you at any time.
Brother An, don't worry. It doesn't matter.
Qiu Tian is also trying to figure it out.
She is trying to get some valid confessions and witnesses
from "Extraordinary Comics".
Then, then take a break
and have a cup of coffee.
We'll also think out some ways.
OK.
Come on. Come on. Come on.
Come on.
How is it going with Bai Jinyu's company?
Mr. Yu,
why not listen to Lawyer Xu's advice?
Impossible.
I don't negotiate with such people like Bai Jinyu
who ignores the author and the copyright.
What can we do?
Well,
do you think Mr. Yu's ex-wife
is a jinx?
We're in bad luck in anything
that has something to do with her.
Let me tell you.
The whole office
has never been vacant
24 hours a day.
It has lasted for three days.
Now we're working overtime.
They're having a meeting inside.
Mr. Bai,
the materials are ready.
All the originals were sent to the lawyer.
These are backups and copies.
OK.
With these documents,
I can rest assured.
Go on with your work.
A statement issued by Extraordinary Studio a few days ago
has aroused widespread concern among netizens.
It's said the cause of the incident is that
Wang Xiaobai and Miao Xiaohei,
the comic images created
by the author of Extraordinary Studio
were registered by the Eraser in advance.
I know it will come sooner or later.
Then what can I do?
Let's do our best and leave the rest to Heaven.
Everyone, pay attention
to the Copyright Ownership Project Report
from "Extraordinary Comics".
Article 1 is about safety and reliability.
Sorry, Mr. Tang.
You can't enter. What are you doing?
Well, why are you having a meeting without telling me?
Bai Jinyu, what are you doing?
Well, you...
What do you want to do?
I am the developer of this project.
Why don't you let me in the meeting?
Mr. Tang,
you can't be in charge of this project anymore.
This is the decision of the company.
Mr. Bai decided specially.
Don't embarrass us.
I'm your boss.
Go on.
You scared me out of my mind.
Why didn't you knock the door?
By the way, help me pour a cup of coffee now.
These are the background data of An An's work
in the zone of vertical comics of "Extraordinary Comics".
Yu Feifan refused to offer them,
but Qiu Tian still got them for you.
There is no problem with the data.
I already checked.
I know.
Have a rest early. We'll go to court tomorrow.
OK, go home and sleep first.
Xu Lang,
what are the odds for us to win?
You're a copyright expert, too.
What do you think?
I don't think we have any odds to win.
I know you're clear about that, too.
Then why do you still go to court?
The other party's lawyer disagrees to settle,
and even doesn't give us a chance to meet,
so I have to go.
Do you still remember?
Our professors
showed us many cases
about copyright at university.
Many authors
have given up their creation
because of copyright damage?
I don't want An An to suffer this.
Pour me a cup of coffee.
Don't drink coffee. Go to bed early.
Don't be nervous.
We're with you.
If I guess right,
Bai Jinyu should not be here in person,
but send representatives of his company.
They should show up
at the last minute.
Why is she their lawyer?
That's not important.
We just tell the truth.
Remember.
Now the most important thing
for you is
to prove that
you are the original author of Wang Xiaobai and Miao Xiaohei.
All the evidence we master
is the vertical comics you published
and the data behind the vertical comics.
All this proves that you are the original author.
In addition, that drawing you created
in the secret room backstage of the Star Comics Award
can be used as the original design
of the two character images.
As for why you remembered
to design these two character images,
what's in your recording pen
will be of great help to you.
But in court, the other party's lawyer
will question the authenticity of the recording.
Brother An, don't be so worried.
We still have witnesses,
such as Xiaoyao, Dawang and Yu Feifan.
Don't worry. Don't worry.
Come on.
Do you know the two work images
published by An An on "Extraordinary Comics"?
I don't care what works
my studio staff publish
on other platforms.
Did you see An An create the two images,
namely Wang Xiaobai and Miao Xiaohei?
Yes, I did.
I saw the manuscripts in the studio.
Here're all my questions.
Plaintiff lawyer,
do you have any questions?
Distinguished Chief Judge and your collegiate bench,
I'd like to ask the witness
whether An An is a subordinate to your company.
Yes.
If An An is legally subject to copyright disputes,
will your company have a negative impact?
Yes.
Chief Judge,
the identity of the witness is not related to the case.
That's all.
An An already began to design
the images, Wang Xiaobai and Miao Xiaohei,
when the Star Comics Award was held.
Though her work didn't win a prize
at the Star Comics Award,
it was so popular with everyone.
Because of so,
many readers have followed her work
in the zone of vertical comics of "Extraordinary Comics".
So you're sure the image Wang Xiaobai
was created by my client, Miss An An,
three months ago,
right?
Yes.
And the Star Comics Award was broadcast live on the Internet.
The video should be available.
An An was hailed as Secret Room Creation Goddess back then.
Distinguished Chief Judge and your collegiate bench,
I'd like to ask the witness
whether she is An An's colleague.
Yes.
Do you have any other relationship with her
besides her colleague?
Are you friends?
Yes.
As far as I know,
as colleagues,
the witness and the defendant published a work jointly
on Daxi APP.
So they're not just common colleagues,
but close partners.
As friends,
when the witness's mom was sick some time ago,
An An provided a lot of help.
So they're not common friends.
I think the witness's testimony is not credible
Chief Judge,
If the witnesses associated with my client
are ruled out,
the truth will not be found out.
That's all.
I met An An ten years ago.
At that time, she had the idea of creating Wang Xiaobai,
but there was not the image Miao Xiaohei yet.
But I firmly believe that
An An created
the two images herself.
I lived with her for six years,
so I know her well.
Witness,
what's your relationship with An An?
I am,
I am her ex-husband.
How long have you known each other?
How long does your marriage last?
Chief Judge,
this question is not related to the case.
Please stop the plaintiff's lawyer from asking questions that have nothing to do with this case.
Distinguished Chief Judge,
my question has a direct relationship with the case.
Witness,
please answer the plaintiff's lawyer's question.
I've known An An for ten years.
Our marriage lasted for six years.
Do you and An An have any kid?
Yes.
Do you still have feelings for Ann?
Chief Judge,
this question is not related to the case, either.
Distinguished Chief Judge,
my question can be a direct proof
of the credibility of the witness's testimony.
Witness, please answer.
Witness,
do you still have feelings for An An?
There is family love
rather than the love between man and woman between us.
Please directly answer yes or no.
Yes.
The other party provides
sufficient witnesses and physical evidence to prove that
the defendant An An
posted "The Daily Life of Wang Xiaobai"
on "Extraordinary Comics".
This just shows
my client is the victim.
My client's copyright is in dispute.
But the defendant is sheltered
because of the personal relationship with Extraordinary Studio.
They slander my client,
which has had a bad impact on society.
I have a copy of the original design
for the game
that my client's company project team made
before "The Daily Life of Wang Xiaobai" was serialized
on "Extraordinary Comics".
It's marked with a definite date.
There're electronic and hand-drawn manuscripts.
How come?
Although our evidence is very complete now,
we still can't prove that
she is the owner of the copyright.
What else do we need?
Something we don't have,
and something that
we've never saved
since people started using hand-drawing boards.
Apparently,
the defendant got the manuscript
in a form
and began to create "The Daily Life of Wang Xiaobai".
She hopes that one day
this image will become the protagonist of the game
and that her own work can also become famous overnight.
I object.
Plaintiff's lawyer,
please state the facts relating to the case.
Objection valid.
The defendant has been pestering
Mr. Tang Xiaoquan, the president of my client's company,
for the purpose of
being afraid of a copyright dispute
after the release of the game.
It can be said that she has tried to pester him
in various means.
I didn't.
I have
a surveillance video of the building
that fully illustrates how the defendant pesters Mr. Tang Xiaoquan,
the president of our client's company.
Well...
She intercepted him over and over again
and even acted as a cleaner to intercept him.
I object.
The defendant might be successful.
Maybe she moved Mr. Tang Xiaoquan.
Maybe she
made some deals in private.
I don't know.
But it is certain that
the defendant's conduct has caused Mr. Tang Xiaoquan
to be driven out of the project team.
I object.
I object to the plaintiff's lawyer's using such implied wording.
Be quiet.
Objection valid.
Plaintiff's lawyer,
please pay attention to your wording
and state the words relating to the case.
Distinguished Chief Judge,
besides game images and comic manuscripts,
my client can also provide
all of the content that
my client company and the defendant frequently intersect,
including the original certificate of copyright.
The manuscripts you and Editor Wang sent to us
help us a lot.
In the past, when I was hit,
I usually burst into tears,
and I was drunk for three days.
It's like when every girl collapses,
she looks manic and angry.
I envy those adults
who never seem to behave stupidly
or collapse.
I hope I can keep calm and composed
at all times as they do.
I don't find adults can also collapse
until I have experienced
more bumps in life.
But they usually keep silent
when they collapse.