David ignored his attempt to deflect. He pulled a document from his briefcase and slid it across the smooth tabletop directly in front of Frank.
"Mr. Frank, I think you've misunderstood. Sega is preparing to launch a new 3D mecha fighting arcade game in North America. During game development, we discovered that the transformation logic for several of our mechs may partially overlap with Robotech, which your company publishes. To avoid unnecessary legal risks after launch, we need to know the exact legal boundaries of the copyrights your company holds." David got straight to the point, his tone cold and leaving no room for pleasantries.
Frank's eyelids twitched violently. He leaned forward slightly, his smile fading.
"We hold absolute and exclusive rights to Robotech in North America! Any similar mecha transformation designs must be authorized by us, otherwise it's copyright infringement!" Frank tried to bluff, raising his voice.
David sneered, leaning back in his chair and spreading his hands as if watching a clumsy clown.
"Mr. Frank, everyone's time is valuable, and consultation fees are running in the hundreds of dollars per hour. Sega's legal team in Japan has already reviewed Tatsunoko's relevant filings. Tatsunoko was only involved in the production of the original Macross series. The license you hold is also based solely on the original anime. As for subsequent settings and works, you don't have the slightest claim to them."
Frank's expression shifted slightly. He didn't respond, his fingers tapping restlessly on the table.
He hadn't expected Sega's background check to be so thorough.
David unhurriedly pulled another sheet of paper from the folder, stamped with a bright red official seal.
"This is the receipt for the trademark registration applications for Macross Plus and Macross 7 recently submitted by Big West in North America. If your company insists on the absurd claim that you own the derivative rights to the entire series, Sega of North America's hundred-lawyer team will file a motion with the Federal Court tomorrow. They will demand that your company produce the original licensing contract attachments signed with Tatsunoko to confirm whether our game truly constitutes an infringement of your so-called copyright."
Frank stared fixedly at the receipt, his jaw clenched so tight his molars ached, a fine sheen of sweat breaking out on his forehead.
If Sega were to initiate a copyright lawsuit in North America, Harmony Gold might be able to afford the fight, but it would be a disastrously lopsided gamble. They had spent years acting as copyright middlemen and knew exactly how weak their hand was. Especially now that Sega was not only financially dominant but could also produce a complete set of supporting documents—for Harmony Gold, that meant simply burning money in court.
Worse still, their own vaguely worded contract only covered the broadcasting rights for the original series and a few peripheral licenses. It gave them no claim over subsequent works in the Macross Universe. If this went to trial, they would be stripped bare. While they might not lose the revenue from the original series, the damage to their reputation, the grueling length of the litigation, and the fallout for their other business partnerships would cost them a fortune in cold, hard cash.
"Ahem—Mr. Cohen, there's no need to be so hostile," Frank said, his expression shifting faster than a page turning. He instantly donned a fawning smile, his tone turning completely conciliatory. "Sega is a global giant in the gaming industry. Harmony Gold has always admired you, and we truly hope for an opportunity to collaborate."
"The prerequisite for cooperation is transparency," David said, rapping his knuckles sharply on the table. Thud. Thud. "We need Harmony Gold to provide a legally binding memorandum detailing the exact scope of the license you obtained from Tatsunoko. As long as it's confirmed that our game doesn't infringe upon your meager slice of the original assets, Sega is more than willing to engage in deep licensing negotiations for the portion of the copyright Harmony Gold legitimately holds. We're even willing to pay for peace of mind."
Frank weighed his options for a few minutes.
Not only could he avoid burning money in court against Sega's rabid pack of lawyers, but he might even squeeze out some extra licensing fees.
Most importantly, all he had to do was state an objective fact. He wasn't betraying any core interests. As for whether Tatsunoko would suffer the consequences in Japan, what did that have to do with him, an American businessman?
"Fine. I'll have our Legal Department draft the memorandum immediately," Frank agreed decisively.
Two days later, a memorandum stamped with Harmony Gold's official seal, detailing the scope of the copyright, was sent via transoceanic fax directly to Sega Headquarters in Tokyo.
Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward.
Inside a secluded and elegant private teahouse, the air was thick with the scent of sandalwood incense.
Kiyoshi Hattori was methodically rinsing the teaware.
As the scalding water washed over the precious Yixing clay teapot, plumes of white steam rose, filling the room with a fragrant tea aroma.
Masaya Takahashi sat opposite him, his face grim, arms tightly crossed over his chest.
In his thirties, with a ring of blue-green stubble on his chin and disheveled hair, he exuded the rebellious and volatile temperament typical of an artist.
"Director Hattori, if you've come to see me today about Gundam Sentinel, you can save your breath," Takahashi snapped, showing no respect for the industry titan. "Everyone knows how Bandai treated me back then! As long as that cancerous tumor of a company is involved in Gundam's commercialization, this project will rot in my drawer forever! I refuse to collude with those money-grubbing bastards!"
Hattori's expression remained unchanged as he steadily pushed a freshly poured cup of tea toward Takahashi.
"Mr. Takahashi, please, calm down. Try this—it's a new tea from Shizuoka this year. It's good for cooling your temper."
Masaya Takahashi snorted coldly and remained motionless.
Kiyoshi Hattori didn't let it get to him. He lifted his own cup, took a leisurely sip, and only then set it down before speaking slowly. "Bandai's actions back then were indeed excessive. Amateurs forcing their way into directing experts, altering the original creator's painstaking settings just to sell a few more plastic models, and even attempting to strip the author of their credit and earnings. Such a short-sighted, predatory approach is something not only you, but we at Sega, find intolerable."
Masaya Takahashi froze, his brow furrowing deeply.
"Sega finds Bandai intolerable? Director Hattori, are you joking? Doesn't the whole of Japan know these two companies are in merger talks? Aren't you just birds of a feather?" he retorted bluntly.
Kiyoshi Hattori didn't answer directly. Instead, he slowly retrieved an exquisitely bound project proposal from the briefcase beside him and placed it gently on the table.
"This is the project proposal for the Gundam Sentinel OVA, personally approved by our Executive Director Nakayama. Takeyuki Kanda is slated as Chief Director, and Hajime Katoki will still handle the mecha design. Please, take a look."
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