parentshiftbook Chapter 283 Anti-Business Discrimination Bill
Chapter 283 Anti-Business Discrimination Bill
There was a few seconds of silence from the audience, and then questions came raining down like cannonballs.
"Mr. Ling! Do you consider yourself Chinese?"
Do you believe that Chinese law requires companies to cooperate with the government in retrieving data?
Does suing Microsoft imply that you acknowledge that Xingyu's development in the Chinese market receives government support?
The question was sharp and preconceived. Ling Yun waited until the noise subsided slightly before speaking.
"I am a Chinese citizen, that's a fact," he said. "But StarCraft is an American company, registered in Delaware, operating in Silicon Valley, complying with US laws, employing American staff, and serving users worldwide. Nationality should not be the standard for judging a company, just as nationality should not be the standard for judging a person."
"Regarding Chinese law," he paused, "I have no obligation to explain Chinese law to Americans here, nor is it necessary, because Chinese law does not apply on American soil. But I would like to remind everyone that the United States also has the Patriot Act and the National Security Letters system. The laws of any country are complex. But Star Technology's commitment is clear: we abide by the laws of the countries where we operate, and at the same time, we protect user privacy to the maximum extent through technological means—end-to-end encryption and data self-selection of storage location. These two are not contradictory."
"One last question," he said, looking at the reporter who asked the question, "StarTalk hasn't been officially launched in the Chinese market yet. We're currently focusing on the US market. As for government support—if you're referring to international capital investments like the French National Investment Bank and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, then yes, we have received support. Just like Microsoft received support from American capital."
The answers were concise and flawless. The reporters lowered their heads to take notes.
At that moment, the side door opened. Several people walked in and sat down in the reserved seats in the front row. They were representatives of the UHSB Alliance.
AMD's Jerry Sanders was the first to stand up. A large man with a booming voice, he said, "As a member of the UHSB alliance, I support StarCraft. Technological competition should be based on products, not political smear campaigns."
SUN's Scott McNealy continued, "Microsoft wants to monopolize everything—operating systems, browsers, and now instant messaging. They used the same tactics on Netscape, and now they're using them on StarCraft. We cannot allow this behavior."
Representatives from IBM and Dell also gave brief remarks to express their support.
But the real bombshell was the appearance of Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale.
He walked onto the podium and stood next to Ling Yun, and the flashbulbs went off again.
"I am Jim Barksdale, CEO of Netscape." His voice was calm, but every word was weighty. "Two years ago, Microsoft tried to stifle Netscape by bundling Internet Explorer. They said it was to give users a better experience, but in reality, it was to gain a monopoly."
He looked at the cameras below the stage.
"Today, I saw the same tactics being used against Starry Sky Technology. Only this time they changed their weapons—not technological bundling, but smear campaigns. They attacked Mr. Ling's nationality, implying that Starry Sky was unsafe, trying to create panic. This is essentially the same as what they did to Netscape back then: eliminate competitors and monopolize the market."
Barksdale took a piece of paper out of his pocket.
"This is an internal Microsoft memo from 1995, submitted as evidence in Netscape's antitrust case against Microsoft. I'll read a passage: 'We must ensure that no other browser can challenge Internet Explorer. If Netscape continues to exist, we will use all means—technology, market, politics, etc.—to make it impossible for it to survive.'"
He put down the paper.
"Today, replacing 'browser' with 'instant messaging,' and 'Netscape' with 'StarCraft Technology' is what's happening right now. Microsoft hasn't changed, and they never will. As long as someone threatens their monopoly, they will destroy you by any means necessary."
After the speech, the audience remained silent.
At this moment, Ling Yun glanced at his watch: 10:40.
The side door opened again. James Lee hurried in and nodded to Ling Yun.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ling Yun began, "just now, California Assemblymember Mark Thompson submitted Bill 1887 in Sacramento, entitled 'Against Business Discrimination Based on Nationality, Race, and Ethnicity.' The bill requires that California government agencies not discriminate in procurement and regulation based on the nationality, race, or ethnicity of business owners or management."
A live feed appeared on the large screen: in the state capitol hall, Representative Thompson was speaking. Audio was transmitted via video link.
"...In Silicon Valley, we pride ourselves on our diversity and globalization, attracting talent from all over the world to create world-changing technologies. We cannot allow certain companies to incite nationality discrimination and destroy this precious ecosystem for commercial gain..."
The footage lasted for two minutes before switching back to the press conference.
"This is just the beginning," Ling Yun said. "We urge more legislators and regulators to pay attention to this issue. Technological competition should be fair, based on products and innovation, not on inciting prejudice and fear."
He paused and took a deep breath.
"Finally, I'd like to say a few words." His voice was lower, but clearer. "I came to America because I believe in the opportunities here. I founded StarCraft because I believe technology can connect people, not separate them. I created StarLanguage because I believe privacy is a fundamental right that shouldn't be compromised because of your nationality, skin color, or beliefs."
He looked at the camera.
"Today, we are filing this lawsuit not for revenge, but for principles. We are presenting evidence not to humiliate anyone, but for the truth. We are seeking justice not for privilege, but for equality."
"If you believe a company's value depends on the color of its founder's passport, then Silicon Valley is dead. If you believe competition can be achieved through smear campaigns and discrimination, then innovation is dead."
"I don't believe Silicon Valley is dead, and I don't believe innovation is dead."
He finished speaking. There were no impassioned appeals, no exaggerated gestures; he simply stood there, looking down at the audience.
The silence lasted for five seconds.
Then, applause erupted from the front row—from representatives of the UHSB Alliance, Netscape's Barksdale, and employees of StarCraft. The applause then spread to the back rows, where some reporters joined in.
Not everyone, but enough.
The Q&A session began, and while the questions remained sharp, the tone had changed.
"Mr. Ling, Microsoft has stated that it will respond to the lawsuit and claims that your allegations are 'baseless.' What is your response?"
"I have already shown everyone the evidence. Since they don't admit it, we'll have to see them in court," Ling Yun said.
"Some analysts believe this lawsuit could last for years and consume a lot of resources. Can Star Technology, as a startup, withstand this?"
"We can afford it," Ling Yun said, "because some things are more important than money."
Are you worried that this will affect Xingyu's future development in the Chinese market?
"Xingyu's development in the Chinese market depends on whether its products meet user needs, not on the outcome of the lawsuit in the United States," Ling Yun said. "Moreover, the Chinese market welcomes all companies that abide by the law and provide value, regardless of nationality."
The press conference lasted until noon. When it ended, reporters swarmed around wanting more interviews, but Carly and her PR team blocked them.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Ling has other plans. You can submit a written interview request to the public relations department."
Ling Yun left through the side door and returned to the office building. In the corridor, employees stood on both sides, watching him walk by. Some gave a thumbs-up, some nodded, but no one spoke.
But the atmosphere was heavier than the applause.