Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 260 - 265: Video Recording

California, inside the Oracle office.

The second richest tech tycoon in the world, the wealthiest founder in Silicon Valley, Larry Elson, was intently staring at his computer.

Of course, not particularly well-versed in technology, he mainly took charge of company strategy and "making a scene" to maintain the stock price. Right now, he wasn’t involved in work.

Elson had logged onto wangwen.com, engrossed in reading "I’m Too Rich."

Not long ago, Silicon Valley’s "good guy," Wozniak, had recommended this novel to Elson.

At first, he was very resistant to reading books on a computer, disliking such a "nerdy" behavior.

Until one day, Elson couldn’t come up with any fresh tactics to flaunt his wealth that could draw the American public’s attention to him.

"Revealing to the media that my yacht is three feet longer than Bill Gates’s could make Oracle’s stock soar."

Elson said to himself while turning on his computer, "Hopefully, this novel about spending money can provide some novel ideas."

But just reading the beginning already disappointed him.

The total amount in the will was merely one billion US dollars?

The protagonist’s daily expenses were just a mere few tens of thousands of US dollars?

However, the following plot developments seemed somewhat interesting to him.

Those who used to look down on the protagonist were now competing to please him under the influence of money?

Involuntarily, this reminded Elson of his own past.

He transferred between three universities but never managed to graduate; he was hired by six companies but was fired within a month at each; at the age of 32, even his wife divorced him without asking for alimony.

"Please, I’m content that you’re not asking for alimony," his wife had disdainfully said in front of their child.

He watched the novel’s ex-girlfriend trying to please the protagonist, unashamed to "play" with the protagonist along with other women.

Okay, Elson admitted, at that moment he truly imagined himself as the protagonist.

Reading today’s plot made him indignant again.

The protagonist revealed where he hid his money on purpose to provide for his foster father.

But who would have thought that that bastard named Frank would take the money and think it was his right!

"Just like my father, leaving me to pay all the bills," Elson sighed, "but never saying that he was proud of me."

At this moment, his assistant walked in.

Uh...

This tall, leggy assistant mainly took care of Elson’s "lifestyle" needs and wasn’t much help with the business.

"Mr. Elson," the assistant said ingratiatingly, "the novel you often read seems to be involved in a plagiarism case. NBC is broadcasting the court session live right now."

Plagiarism?

Elson glanced at his computer screen and frowned.

He thought for a moment, then gestured for the assistant to turn on the television.

"As everyone knows, copyright protection for a deceased author is a very serious issue."

"Of course, I’m not suggesting ’I’m Too Rich’ is plagiarized," the newscaster spoke with stern seriousness, conveying a trustworthy impression.

"But personally, what difference does it make whether the estate is worth 30 billion US dollars or just one billion US dollars?"

Hmm?

Hadn’t NBC recently almost hyped Wang Jian up to be Hemingway’s successor?

Elson picked up the remote to increase the volume, trying to catch what the testifying expert would say.

"Greats like Leo Tolstoy also have works such as ’The Adventures of Brachino,’ somewhat resembling ’The Adventures of Pinocchio’ in terms of plagiarism."

"But after being pointed out by critics, he finally displayed his full talent, bringing us such magnificent works as ’Anna Karenina’ and ’War and Peace’!"

"Fuck," Elson cursed softly, "I can’t hear clearly what the expert is actually saying!"

"Take Pushkin, for instance. ’The Fisherman and the Golden Fish’ and ’The Fisherman and His Wife’ in Grimm’s Fairy Tales were highly similar and called out, which is what truly set him on the path of original creation."

"And ultimately, he became Russia’s ’Father of Literature.’"

"So, having achieved much more at the same age than either of the two, what kind of accomplishments would Wang Jian, having corrected his own mistakes, attain?"

Hearing this, Elson felt a shock in his heart.

What was the speed of information dissemination during the times of Leo Tolstoy and Pushkin?

And now, what is the speed of information dissemination?

Moreover, comparing Russian and former Soviet Union writers with Wang Jian?

NBC is intending to completely cut off Wang’s career as a writer!

At this moment, the TV screen began to display the experts’ opinion letters.

Elson watched the TV screen intently, wanting to see if his favorite novel was indeed plagiarized.

Then...

Well, there’s a world of difference between professions.

He really couldn’t understand it well...

"Could it really be plagiarism?" Elson thought, it seemed there was some reason in what the announcer had said.

How much the will had designated didn’t really make much of a difference.

As for checking out "Brewer’s Million Gift"?

Please, it’s just a novel, where would he find the time?

"Next time I see Wozniak, I must really mock him," Elson turned off his computer, "for actually recommending a plagiarized novel."

"I’m a fan of Mr. Wang Jian’s books, and I don’t believe his novel is suspected of plagiarism," the announcer’s voice came through, "However, as a journalist, I will strive to maintain a neutral stance, please rest assured."

"It is now the defendant’s turn to submit evidence, and according to past experience, it will most likely be the author’s manuscript."

"I will use my limited professional knowledge to analyze the differences between the two works for everyone."

The author’s manuscript?

Elson picked up the remote control, ready to turn off the TV.

That stuff, even harder to understand than the expert opinions.

After all, there’s a final summary in expert opinions!

But unexpectedly, what the judge and jury brought out, and what appeared in front of the camera, wasn’t text but a series of photos.

Huh?

That, I can understand.

Elson put down the remote control and focused on the TV screen again.

"This is..." the announcer paused for a moment, preparing to speak.

At this time, the defense attorney suddenly began to speak: "Your Honor, my client is unable to be present due to health reasons."

"However, he will give a personal account of the creative process of ’I’m Too Rich’ through a video tape."

"Considering my client’s status as a well-known bestselling author, a video of him personally appearing will have a certain value."

"However, due to this being a live broadcast, we will temporarily grant NBC the rights to broadcast the video."

At this moment, in the NBC studio backstage.

Wood looked at the situation in the courtroom and frowned.

Not the author’s manuscript, but photos and videotapes?

What was happening?

"Mr. Wood, we can’t dub it," the announcer turned to say, "We have the broadcasting rights for the court trial, but not for the videotape."

"If we dub, it would be a case of copyright infringement."

Wood thought for a moment, "Then, cut the signal when necessary."

"Wow, that’s not going to work," at this moment, Lehman walked in followed by two bailiffs.

"The live broadcast contract signed with Manhattan explicitly requires a complete broadcast."

He shrugged his shoulders and made a welcoming gesture.

"According to the contract requirements," one bailiff took out a document, "Manhattan District Court has supervision rights."

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