No one could express their surprise and surprise in words.
In the past, the "crude iron" that was freshly baked had only about 10% dark iron content.
In order to obtain high-purity black iron, they need to forge it repeatedly. The hard work involved cannot be described in words.
Now, it is 60% pure when it comes out of the oven.
Breathing, heavy breathing, rising and falling.
But everyone's eyes were as bright as candles.
Zhang Hao slowly walked to the center of the high platform and said, "This is a technical exchange meeting. No matter what questions you have, please feel free to speak."
Someone immediately said: "Master Zhang..."
"It's a deacon!" Zhang Hao emphasized with a calm expression, "This is the Black Iron Guild, and what I am currently serving as is the technical general deacon of the Black Iron Guild."
"Yes. Deacon Zhang."
There was a burst of good-natured laughter all around.
"Please tell me." Zhang Hao had a faint smile on his face, which was actually a bit calm.
"Deacon Zhang, I would like to ask, the cost of doing this should be very high, right? I wonder if Mr. Zhang has calculated it?"
Zhang Hao nodded: "If you look at it individually, the cost is certainly very high. But if you look at it comprehensively, it is very low.
After our rigorous calculations, when mass-producing 60% pure black iron, the cost is only 80% of what it used to be!
The most important thing is efficiency; the efficiency is increased... two hundred times!"
Wow...
Everyone was in an uproar.
If the cost is reduced by 20%, the net profit margin will be increased by 200%; considering the 200 times efficiency, everyone just feels like their heart will beat out of their chest.
In the past, the price of black iron was transparent, and everyone's average gross profit was only 10% - the net profit was even lower; but with the public disclosure of water forging, the profit margin has been further compressed.
The 20% cost reduction now can be regarded as ‘net profit’!
Everyone asked questions one after another, and Zhang Hao answered them one by one calmly.
Finally, even Vice Chairman Zhou Bo asked respectfully: "Deacon Zhang, I have another question. It is very important for the Zhang family to disclose these technologies. I wonder... what are the requirements?"
Everyone's eyes focused on Zhang Hao again.
Zhang Hao slowly moved his right index finger, "I have a proposal, which I call a 'patent'."
Everyone looked at Zhang Hao quietly, waiting for further explanation.
Zhang Hao walked slowly and talked eloquently: "In the past, we have always kept our skills secret from others. What is the result?
Over the past thousands of years, our black iron smelting technology has been gradually declining.
All of this is caused by my own preciousness.
Why do you have to keep your broom to yourself?"
Faced with Zhang Hao's questioning, everyone stopped talking.
The Zhang family shared their technology twice in a row and single-handedly established the Black Iron Guild, which brought huge benefits to everyone.
However, the black iron smelting technology is the foundation of the family, no one dares to reveal it casually!
Zhang Hao continued: "Actually, progress can only be made through sharing. The Zhang family proved this by sharing twice. Do you agree?"
Naturally no one objected.
But I didn’t agree with it out loud...
I agree with you, should we also share our technology?
Everyone has their own little Jiujiu.
Zhang Hao's gaze slowly swept across. Everyone, whether they were in the Foundation Establishment stage or the Golden Core stage, all looked away, not daring to look at Zhang Hao's eyes.
Zhang Hao's voice became more powerful: "In view of this situation, I have thought about it for a long time and decided to launch a new system, which is the patent system.
The patent system will be implemented within the Black Iron Guild to create benefits for everyone.
As for the technology we have disclosed today, it includes two major technologies: water separation and powder smelting.
If you want to use these two technologies, you have to pay patent fees.
Patent fees are not paid in one lump sum.
Rather, it is based on piecework.
For example, the prices of these two technologies,
For the water selection method, my price is: 1 black iron coin per kilogram.
For powder smelting, I price it at: 2 black iron coins per kilogram.
As long as you adopt this technology, no matter whether the product meets the standard or not, for every kilogram of dark iron you sell, you will need to pay a patent fee of 3 dark iron coins. If you sell a ton, you will have to pay a patent fee of 3 low-level spiritual stones.
cost.
Assuming that you all use these two technologies, and the total monthly black iron sales volume is 2,000 tons, then everyone needs to pay a total of 6,000 low-level spiritual stones."
After Zhang Hao finished speaking, there was a sudden burst of whispers.
It took a while before anyone asked a question.
Zhang Hao answered one by one.
"The patent fee is set by oneself, but it needs to be reviewed by the association before it can be implemented. We must ensure the common interests of everyone."
"Patent fees are calculated based on sales volume. If the patent is not sold, it will not be counted if it is used by yourself."
"As long as the technology is adopted, regardless of the quality of the product or the selling price, we will charge royalties based on the pricing."
"For the sake of convenience and unification, within the guild, our patent fees will be collected directly from spirit stones, and pills, etc. will not be accepted."
"The validity period of the patent is tentatively set at 50 years. If the patent blocks the development of technology, we will discuss it openly. For families whose interests have been harmed, the guild will allocate funds from the guild fund to provide compensation."
"The purpose of proposing patents is to promote development. The temporary patent system is only implemented within the association. All patents are the common property of the association, and no one may leak secrets by any means.
The Association reserves the right to pursue legal action against anyone who leaks technology."
"Once you leave the guild, the guild will also withdraw the patent authorization."
Problems came and went, but Zhang Hao dealt with them calmly.
Even Zhang Shengde next to him was shocked - because Zhang Hao had never mentioned the patent to him before.
The question and answer session lasted until noon and then gradually came to an end.
"Brother Shi, I have a few questions." Li Yuanyuan from the Li family spoke slowly. The girl was a little shy and her face was a little rosy.
"Sister Shi, please tell me."
"What if the technologies disclosed by the two families are the same?"
Zhang Hao smiled, this is the crux of the problem, and this is where the "fangs" of the patent lie!
"Patents are unique!" Zhang Hao said word for word, "The first person to register will own all the rights and interests of the patent."
I just want to force you to hand over your skills as soon as possible! If it's too late, then I can only apologize, because your skills no longer belong to you legally!
"Then when registering a patent, should it be in the name of the family or in the name of an individual?"
"You can choose this freely. There are no requirements."
"Can two families, or multiple families, or multiple people jointly hold the same patent?"
"Yes. But it requires internal negotiation. Once the registration is successful, it will be difficult to change."
"What if someone gets the patent by hook or crook?"
Zhang Hao's face immediately became serious: "The Guild will uphold justice and be impartial and forthright!"
"Thank you, Brother Shi. I've finished asking." Li Yuanyuan bowed and saluted before sitting down.
Zhang Hao glanced around: "Do you still have any questions?"
After waiting for a while, no one asked questions, and Zhang Hao spoke again: "Since there are no more questions, let's vote by a show of hands whether to implement the patent system.
If you agree, please raise your hands.
Each member has one vote, and a family only needs one person to raise their hand."
After saying that, Zhang Hao raised his hand.
The corner of Zhang Shengde's mouth twitched - this guy is becoming more and more arbitrary.
However, I like it.
Because as the chairman, Zhang Shengde is really not suitable to raise his hands.
In the audience, Li Yuanyuan bit her lower lip, grabbed her father's hand and raised it.
Li Yousheng's mouth twitched, but he finally raised his hand firmly.
With those taking the lead, more and more people gradually followed. Soon, more than half of the people raised their hands.
Zhang Hao smiled. "87 votes agreed, are there any more?"
"Okay, 125 votes, all passed. The Black Iron Guild will officially implement the patent system today.
Below, we will discuss the details of the patent system together.
Before that, on behalf of the Zhang family, I make a formal statement: We will give up the patent just now. The water selection method and powder smelting technology are the common property of the guild, and as long as you are a member of the guild, you can use them for free."