New Employees With an Annual Salary of 1 Trillion Won - Chapter 98
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 98. Rule Maker (3)
Today, I arrived at the Nexfin office at exactly 7:51 AM.
As I opened the curtains and windows and organized things according to my routine, colleagues began arriving one by one.
However, my colleagues’ expressions looked unusually bright.
Recently, with so many other tasks, I had only created the predetermined amount of patent drafts.
Perhaps because of that, there was a sense of ease on my colleagues’ faces, and seeing that made me feel self-reproach, so I took out a patent draft bundle I hadn’t revealed before.
“I have new patent drafts.”
“Suddenly? Weren’t this week’s patent drafts finished?”
“I was finally able to complete drafts I had been conceptualizing for a long time.”
“R-really? What kind of patents are they?”
Colleagues approaching with fear.
Just seeing that made my heart feel much lighter.
“They’re security-related patents.”
“What kind of security? Mobile phone security? Besides passwords, could there really be other security systems?”
“While it’s difficult to apply right now, there’s a method that enables much superior security compared to passwords. And it could be applied immediately to PDAs or other portable devices, not mobile phones.”
My colleagues examined the drafts as if they had never been afraid.
Especially for draft number 1, since it wasn’t complex at all, they even showed smiles.
“A method of solving passwords with patterns instead of numbers?”
“Users can set patterns however they want. It’s possible to do something simple like a Z-shape or something complex like a spiral shape.”
“Is a pattern method really necessary? Are there advantages over the number method?”
“It’s easier to remember. People can instinctively remember trajectories more easily than numbers.”
To create the pattern patent, I even referenced various research papers.
I reached the conclusion that when you repeat a specific trajectory with your finger, your body rather than your head remembers it, allowing users to unlock their mobile phones more easily.
“For simple unlocking, the pattern method wouldn’t be bad either.”
“It’s also a method that allows for very simple patent applications.”
“For a patent like this, one week would be more than enough.”
Until now, everyone had been acting relaxed.
However, the following security patent wasn’t as simple as the pattern one.
“The next patent is a fingerprint recognition security system.”
“Fingerprint recognition? This is already in use. Isn’t it applied in banks or high-end safes?”
“I want to apply that method to portable devices as well. I plan to register the user’s fingerprint so that only they can unlock it.”
Fingerprint recognition methods were being used in various places.
However, there were no cases yet of applying it to portable devices or electronics.
“To apply it to portable devices, you’d need to miniaturize the fingerprint recognition sensor. Is that possible?”
“If we apply capacitive instead of voltage-based technology, miniaturization is definitely possible.”
“Is there really a need to go that far to use fingerprint recognition?”
“Who would have thought just a few years ago that we’d be doing banking through ARS? If the day comes when most banking business can be done through mobile phones, the importance of security will become even greater.”
Security was a core gear.
Since it was an essential part for completing the structure I had designed, I needed to accumulate patents in advance.
“It’ll take some time, but it’s not impossible. You’ll have quite a struggle to create a prototype though.”
“Still, if Employee Lee wants to make it, we should make it. But is there another patent?”
“There’s one last security patent remaining. I’ve also created a face recognition security patent.”
“Face recognition? Isn’t that too complex? Don’t tell me you’re planning to apply face recognition to portable devices too?”
“Only when face recognition becomes possible can we perfectly establish a security system.”
My colleagues were shaking their heads at the mention of face recognition.
That was understandable since facial recognition was still close to the experimental stage and was only being used in airports or military security fields.
Miniaturization and high-speed processing were technologies that were nearly impossible.
Although it was difficult to implement right now, patent registration was definitely possible.
“For now, I want to register patents limited to programming and algorithm fields.”
“What kind of algorithm is it?”
“I’ve created an algorithm that extracts facial features. It’s an algorithm that recognizes the relative coordinates of eyes, nose, and mouth based on vectors. I’ve also additionally created an anti-forgery algorithm.”
These were algorithms that could dramatically improve existing face recognition technology.
Of course, having just these technologies didn’t mean they could be immediately applied to portable devices, but they could at least provide direction.
“This is the end, right? There’s going to be an incredible flood of related patents. We won’t have a moment to rest this month.”
“I’ll be counting on you.”
“What’s there to count on? We need to work to make money too. But we get bonuses when we register patents, while Employee Lee has a royalty contract so you only get paid when commercialization happens, right? Nothing has been commercialized so far, has it?”
I found myself nodding unconsciously at the President’s words.
I registered dozens of patents every month, but there were almost no patents that brought in money.
Excluding the patents contracted with Apple and MS, only the camera phone I developed first was the only one bringing in money.
“The mobile phone market is developing rapidly, so I think royalty contract proposals will come in soon.”
“If Employee Lee says so, then it must be true. Alright! Let’s hurry up and get to work. If we don’t want to come in on weekends, let’s focus during work hours and knock it out!”
But I was really curious about something.
Why haven’t the mobile phone companies contacted us yet?
Or maybe they have been contacting us, but the General Manager is coordinating things behind the scenes?
***
Samjin Electronics Mobile Division.
They developed dozens of mobile phone models every year.
But only a very small portion of them actually made it to production.
All models underwent evaluation according to strict internal standards.
The finally selected products had to go through thorough verification procedures to ensure there were no legal disputes regarding everything from design to functionality.
“Division Manager, all three models selected this time have patent-related issues.”
“Hmm, are they patents registered by other mobile phone companies?”
“That’s not the case. They’ve all been confirmed as patents registered by a small company called Nexpin.”
The Division Manager thought about the name Nexpin for a moment.
He thought he had heard the name somewhere before, but since they weren’t a competitor or a partner company, he couldn’t quite recall what kind of company Nexpin was.
“What kind of company was Nexpin?”
“It’s the company that became famous for establishing partnerships with Apple and MS at last year’s COMDEX. We also acquired camera phone patents from Nexpin for this year’s planned release.”
“Ah! Now I remember. Thanks to those patents, we were able to move up our camera phone launch schedule. They must be a company with solid technology. How many problematic patents are there?”
The Division Manager asked this question with the intention of purchasing the patent rights.
Just like when they bought the camera phone patents, they could solve the problem simply by acquiring all the rights.
“The number of patents is quite substantial. To commercialize all three models, we would need to acquire or sign license agreements for at least 20 patents from Nexpin.”
“As many as 20?”
“The number of patents Nexpin has registered so far exceeds 1,000 just from what we’ve confirmed. About half of those are mobile phone-related patents.”
It didn’t make sense to him.
Nexpin had only become famous less than a year ago.
But registering over 1,000 patents wasn’t logically possible.
“Isn’t Nexpin a startup company? How did they register 1,000 patents in less than a year?”
“The product development team that split off from GL Group’s Mobile Phone Division became Nexpin. They already had sufficient technology secured. Of course, even so, registering over 1,000 patents in one year is beyond common sense.”
1,000 patents wasn’t the end of it.
They didn’t know that there were even more patents that hadn’t been disclosed yet.
“Hmm, isn’t there any way to work around this?”
“We can create workaround patents if we want to, but it will take a long time. And there’s a considerable possibility of legal disputes arising later.”
“We’ll have to proceed with negotiations with Nexpin. Since I need to inform upper management, prepare a report by today.”
Samjin Electronics Mobile Division determined that Nexpin’s patents could not be avoided.
And since Nexpin was not a Korean company but belonged under Tiger Fund, they had no choice but to move even more cautiously.
***
GL Electronics showed completely different movements from Samjin Electronics.
Since it was once part of GL Electronics, the GL Electronics Mobile Division was even more reluctant to contract with Nexpin.
“Nexpin is just Product Development Department 3. What’s all this fuss about!”
“Core patents are included, making it quite difficult to work around.”
“So what do you want me to do? Just make it first. If problems arise later, it’s better to negotiate then.”
Many Korean conglomerates still had a strong tendency to think of patents as just part of procedures.
Of course, the importance of patents had increased compared to before, but they still didn’t think patents took priority over technology.
“Wouldn’t it be better to negotiate now in various ways?”
“If we just make good products, everything gets resolved, right? When are we going to make products if we keep considering this and that? Just do it.”
“But Nexpin is a company owned by Tiger Fund. It’s not an ordinary small or medium enterprise.”
“That’s exactly why I’m telling you to do it. Do those guys who just play with numbers even know what technology is? We can negotiate later, so just do it.”
Mobile Development Team 1 Department Manager Jang Do-hoon pushed strongly.
This was possible because Vice President Go Il-do was solidly backing him up.
Since Vice President Go Il-do and Department Manager Jang Do-hoon had strongly advocated for selling Product Development Department 3, they were even more reluctant to contract with Nexpin.
***
The General Manager and Branch Manager returned from China.
And they brought back very big gifts.
“We acquired equity shares in Alibaba and Tencent.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It was really tight timing. Especially Alibaba was already in the middle of negotiations with SoftBank.”
“You beat SoftBank and secured the equity investment contract?”
SoftBank was a Japanese company operated by a Korean-Japanese person.
Though it couldn’t compare to Tiger Fund, it was a place with massive operating funds reaching 4 billion dollars.
“In the end, there was no way other than offering more money. We raised it 10 million dollars higher than SoftBank and secured 24% equity for 30 million dollars.”
“Honestly, I’m worried about this investment. Alibaba is essentially no different from a startup, and besides a few simple ideas, there’s nothing they’ve actually achieved.”
The Branch Manager viewed this contract unfavorably.
It was a company that had achieved nothing yet.
However, I could be confident of success just by looking at the direction Alibaba had been taking so far.
“There will absolutely be no losses. But how much equity did you secure in Tencent?”
“We spent a bit more money but secured more equity as well. We were able to buy 46% equity for 31 million dollars.”
“We were very worried because Chinese companies are said to be closed-off, but the contract proceeded faster than expected.”
Before I could even finish speaking, the General Manager and Branch Manager both let out sighs.
It was a sigh that made me feel there had been many difficulties in closing the contract.
“China regulates direct investment by foreign capital. So we had no choice but to secure equity indirectly through VIE (Variable Interest Entity).”
“If you went through indirect means, you didn’t purchase equity directly?”
“That’s right. We created a paper company in the Cayman Islands and had this entity contract with the Chinese corporation. This could actually be problematic too, but it’s the only method the Chinese Government tacitly allows.”
Investment in China was definitely not easy.
If the Chinese Government’s policy changed, the equity we secured could become worthless paper at any time.
“About 10 years should be enough to see profits. It would be good to sell before the Chinese Government’s policy changes.”
“That’s a decision for the Asia Branch to make, isn’t it?”
The General Manager was speaking to Song Sang-yeon.
Song Sang-yeon had already been virtually appointed as the Tiger Fund Asia Branch Manager.
“The Asia Branch intends to follow Headquarters’ direction.”
“That’s not a bad choice either.”
Song Sang-yeon still looked very worried.
However, I was confident that this investment would become the Asia Branch’s most profitable investment.
Annual Salary 1 Trillion New Employee Chapter 98
The New Employee with a 1 Trillion Won Salary Chapter 98
E-book Publication Date | 2025.11.27
E-book publication date | November 27, 2025
Author | Seo Oh
Author | Seo Oh
Publishers | Heo Heung-beom, Park Geon-won
Publisher | Heo Heung-beom, Park Geon-won
Published by | Poten
Publisher | Poten
Address | [04783] 10th Floor, 8 Yeonmujang 11-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Address | [04783] 10th Floor, 8 Yeonmujang 11-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Phone | 02-6320-8500
Phone | 02-6320-8500
Fax | 02-6320-8585
Fax | 02-6320-8585
ISBN | 9791175305892
Price | 100 won
List Price | 100 won
ⓒ Seo Oh 2025
This e-book is a copyrighted work protected by copyright law.
This e-book is published under the author’s contract, so unauthorized reproduction, copying, distribution, and sharing are prohibited without written consent from both parties.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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