Since Barbara mentioned that California encourages inventors to make minor innovations to patents they don't fully own, Ethan didn't hesitate. After returning home, he immediately dialled Chuck Peddle's number to share the good news that the patent issue had been resolved.
At first, Chuck Peddle was sceptical. However, when Ethan revealed his full name as Ethan Jones, the inventor of "Snake Game," and invited them to California to verify if they didn't believe, Chuck Peddle, wrapped in surprise, expressed gratitude and immediately planned to bring colleagues over. He also asked Ethan to help contact Barbara; they wanted to personally thank her.
The next morning, the MOS 6502 development team ordered tickets from Philadelphia to San Francisco.
In the afternoon of the same day, Ethan, who came to pick them up, met a group of well-dressed individuals at San Francisco International Airport. Since they had previous contact, everyone recognized each other easily and had a joyful conversation.
After inviting everyone into the car, they headed to Stanford, where they met Barbara the lawyer, whom Ethan had already informed.
Excited, the group immediately opened their carry-on luggage and presented prepared gifts. There were thoughtful Pennsylvania specialities, handmade chocolates from the Hershey's store; Philadelphia memorabilia, including the 1876 World Expo commemorative booklet and this year's special medal for the centennial celebration; a replica model of the Liberty Bell symbolizing American independence; and a framed chip, a Motorola 6800, with Chuck Peddle's name engraved on it. According to him, it was the first batch of chips made by Motorola, not sold publicly, and collected by the R&D team.
Upon seeing these gifts, Barbara smiled and thanked Chuck Peddle's group for their kindness. She considered her contribution insignificant, stating that Chuck Peddle and his team were the real heroes. After some insistence from Chuck Peddle's group, Barbara accepted some gifts – chocolates, a Liberty Bell model, and the World Expo commemorative booklet – but returned the 6800 chip.
In her words, "This is the world's gratitude for your outstanding achievements; I cannot accept this."
Accepting this result, Chuck Peddle's group was content. After a few words of thanks, Barbara carefully explained the legal status of the MOS 6502 product in California law to the MOS 6502 design team.
When the MOS 6502 team saw the legal process chart that would allow them to sell the product legally, several grown men shed tears. Immediately after, the eight of them stood up and bowed to Barbara.
"Ms. Babcock, thank you very much for your help."
"We will remember your kindness. If there's anything we can do for you in the future, please feel free to contact us."
"Oh, you are too kind. I just did what a legal professional should do. Your success is my greatest reward because, at that time, I can also enjoy the changes brought by technology."
"Yes, that day will come soon," Chuck Peddle assured.
For some reason, Ethan, who witnessed this scene, was deeply moved.
Chuck Peddle and his group's level was something he might never reach in his lifetime.
He couldn't understand, but...
He supported.
While he remained silent, Evelyn, who was witnessing the scene, nudged Ethan with her elbow and handed him a tissue.
"Why?" Ethan asked curiously.
"You're crying," Evelyn whispered.
"Oh, no, it's just sand in my eyes." Ethan quickly wiped the corner of his eye with his hand.
He didn't need to explain; if he did, Evelyn would laugh.
"Yeah, sand in your eyes. I believe I believe. After all, this is California, everywhere is a desert."
...
Ethan initially thought that the MOS 6502 matter concluded here. After all, the patent issue for the chip had been resolved, and the next step was for Chuck Peddle's team to bring the MOS 6502 product to California, and then Ethan would negotiate cooperation with them.
No choice, these guys came and went fast.
They flew in from Philadelphia that day and flew back the same night, not staying for a moment.
But a few days later, on July 10th, when Ethan was at home, he unexpectedly received a call from them.
After some greetings, Chuck Peddle, who was in Pennsylvania, asked, "Ethan, I want to ask you something. Do you have plans to make computers?"
"Uh... yes," Ethan thought for a moment and admitted.
Chuck Peddle asked again, "So when you mentioned authorizing production before, did you mean making chips and computers yourself?"
"Oh, it's not like that."
Ethan quickly answered the question, "Chuck, computers are something my friend wants to do. It's Woz, who previously bought chips from you. What I want to do is all business related to chips because I believe an excellent CPU can not only bring computers into thousands of households but also have an impact on other industries."
"For example, the gaming industry I'm involved in. Professor Ralph Baer, you should know him, right? The home game console he designed doesn't have a CPU. So, sometimes I think, what if we bring a CPU into a home game console? In that case, we might be able to bring more joy to the people."
Ethan's words left the other side in silence.
After a moment, laughter echoed from the phone.
"Ethan, thank you. Thank you for believing in our chip."
"I called you today mainly to understand if you're willing to join us."
"After returning, we informed the board of directors about the successful sales strategy for MOS 6502. After some discussions, we decided to establish a separate company in California and transfer the MOS 6502 chip there. This way, the product will be protected by California law."
"Since our separate company in California only produces and operates the MOS 6502 product, the company structure is very simple. MOS will invest two million in purchasing the production line and raw materials for chip production. In terms of shares, we'll take 80%, and the remaining 20%, I don't know if you're interested?"
"We consider this share as a gift to you; you don't need to contribute any money."
"Of course, we're all friends, so let's be frank. We're giving you shares because, firstly, we believe you're a good person. When others doubted the authenticity of our chip, your friend Woz believed in us, and you helped us solve the legal issues of 6502. Your kindness makes us genuinely want to express our gratitude."
"Secondly, we hope to have the protection of Stanford. The research community is not that big, and everyone knows Stanford. Fred Terman is a good dean, and it's our honour to establish a company near Stanford. Moreover, we heard that your sister is a student of Professor Vint Cerf? Oh... we didn't mean to pry into your background, but Professor Vint Cerf 's spirit of sharing is something we greatly admire. If there's a chance, we would like to communicate with him too."
After Ethan hung up the phone, disbelief was written all over his face!
Damn!
MOS and Chuck Peddle were willing to give his new company 20% of the shares directly.
What the hell is this!
Although they explicitly stated that this was in gratitude for his contribution to the MOS 6502 chip's patent issue and their desire for Stanford's protection, the direct gift of shares, how was it different from charity?
No!
Even charity wasn't done like this!
After a moment of amazement, Ethan also felt a bit sentimental—
Perhaps for those in technology, sincerity is the greatest weapon?
Taking a deep breath, suppressing his sigh of amazement, Ethan returned to the second floor and knocked on his sister's bedroom door.
Upon entering, he found his sister reading a book. After informing her of Chuck Peddle's decision, Evelyn didn't even lift her head, directly saying, "Since they are willing to give you, just accept it."
"I've said before, scientific research is built on a large amount of money, so don't feel burdened."
"That's not what I mean." Ethan said, "I mean, split it with you?"
This proposal made Evelyn pause with her right hand, slightly raising her head, and smiling, "Split it with me? What's the point? There's already a share for you in it! Although I'm a bit materialistic, I know who's good to me!"
"Hahaha~" Ethan's emphasis made Evelyn laugh, saying, "Oh, Ethan, can you stop bringing up such boring things in front of me? If you really love money, would you share half of the profits from 'Snake Game' with me?"
"I see~ You're practising the principle of distribution according to labour in the primitive society!"
"If you think it's not right, then go read more books, don't argue with me here."
Perhaps not wanting to continue on this topic, Evelyn said, "MOS gave you equity, just take it. If it really makes money, do whatever you want with it, don't bother about me."
"The profits from 'Snake Game' are already a lot, and I have to find a way to avoid taxes. Otherwise, I'll be heartbroken if I have to give half to the IRS next year."
"If you really want to thank me, invest in my research projects in the future."
"I won't be polite to you at that time. Whatever money you have, I can spend it all for you."
'So arrogant?'
Ethan was stunned for a moment, but he didn't insist, "Okay, okay, let's talk about it later."
At the same time, he asked, "What about Barbara?"
Evelyn understood what Ethan was talking about and directly said, "Barbara's thanks... after the official sale of MOS 6502. Moreover, she doesn't need any special gifts. When she needs our help in the future, we'll help her as much as possible."
'Like this?' Ethan took a deep breath, smiling and saying, "Favors, huh? That's the hardest thing to repay in the world."
In saying this sentence, Ethan was just expressing his thoughts.
But in Evelyn's eyes, Ethan's behavior was really boring.
Shaking her head, she smiled and said, "Ethan, why do you have to complicate things? Favours are hard to repay, but they're also the easiest way to bring people closer~ If you set a price for them, you'll definitely find it headache-inducing, but if you live normally, you'll find it very interesting."
Talking to this point, Evelyn didn't bother with Ethan anymore. With a wave of her hand, she said, "Alright, alright, don't bother me with this. I'm hungry~ Go make me a pizza~"
"I want beef~"
This eviction made Ethan shake his head with a smile.
"Okay, happy to serve you, my sister."
He closed the door behind him.