Chapter 38: Li Kui versus Li Gui

Section Chief Luo carefully examined the patent application documents mentioned in the newspaper.

This patent was applied for by Jiangzhou Machinery Factory, but the inventor listed was Su Qiao, a senior at Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School. Attached to the patent application was Su Qiao's academic transcript, which was not required for patent applications, but he included it to demonstrate his excellent grades and justify his invention of the integrated circuit motherboard.

While Section Chief Luo was pondering over the details, his office phone rang. It was Zhang Bo, one of the leaders.

Zhang Bo: "Luo Hai, have you seen the batch of patent applications? There's one for the main board of a CNC machine tool, and the inventor seems to be a high school student. We need to take this matter seriously!"

"I suggest that the expert group hold a meeting tomorrow to review the technology and see if it meets the requirements. If it does, we should strongly publicize and praise it!"

Zhang Bo continued, "It's the year 2000 now, and our country is striving for the four modernizations to become an industrial powerhouse. We must encourage such talented individuals!"

"Understood!" Luo Hai quickly prepared the review materials for the meeting scheduled for the next day.

In 2000, the number of patent applications wasn't very high, and the number of applications under Luo Hai's department was even smaller. As such, he had the opportunity to review all five patent applications in his possession and then send them to the experts for review the following day.

As Luo Hai reviewed the fourth patent application, he was taken aback!

What's going on here!

The fourth patent application was also for the main board of a CNC machine tool. At first, Luo Hai thought they might be different types of CNC machine tools, but upon closer inspection, he realized they were the same type.

To his surprise, the fourth patent application was submitted by Jiangzhou Linghua Equipment Co., Ltd., but the inventor listed was Chen Xiao, another high school student from Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School.

What's happening here!

Luo Hai was stunned!

Could it be that the same project was co-invented by two students, and the patent application reports were mistakenly duplicated?

The main board of a CNC machine tool fell under the category of integrated circuits, a relatively challenging applied invention.

It was commendable and exciting that students with excellent grades could invent such a thing, but having two students consecutively invent it... this was quite unusual.

Luo Hai quickly compared the data of the two patent applications.

He couldn't understand the circuit diagram of the main board; only experts could decipher it. However, Luo Hai could understand the text.

Chen Xiao applied for two patents—one for the motherboard of a specific type of CNC machine tool and the other for the visualization application and operating system of the CNC machine tool.

The visualization application and operating system for CNC machine tools were revolutionary inventions!

Though a small number of domestic CNC machine tools had some form of visual interface, it was basic and lacked proper control over the numerical control equipment through the interface.

Chen Xiao's invention was undoubtedly a game-changer for domestic CNC machine tools!

Luo Hai was filled with excitement. Based on this comparison, the inventions Chen Xiao applied for were richer and more advanced.

Visualization applications and operating systems, if approved by the experts, could easily obtain a patent.

But to whom should the invention patent for the motherboard be granted?

According to patent granting regulations, whoever invents first will be granted the patent, and the inventor is protected from the moment of the invention, even if they haven't applied for a patent yet.

Based on the information provided, Su Qiao's invention application was submitted earlier than Chen Xiao's.

Was this plagiarism or something else?

Luo Hai could only write down the relevant details in the evaluation materials and submit them to the expert group for their decision.

The next morning, a group of experts assembled in the conference room. They were invited by the Patent Office to review patent applications in different fields. Most of the experts were from universities in Yanjing (such as Yenjing University and Shuimu University), along with experts from local research institutes and technical experts from various factories in Yanjing.

This time, the focus was on microelectronic integrated circuits and mechanical equipment.

The experts sat down and engaged in enthusiastic discussions.

They were all acquainted and often discussed the industry situation.

"Dongyang people are so detestable. They set up a Makino machine tool branch in Qingdao, and none of our core technical departments are allowed to participate! It's like we're still in 1935!"

"The management of Dongyang is constantly looking down on us, treating our technicians as second-class citizens. They're practically running a pseudo-Manchukuo!"

One expert from a research institute vented his frustration from a few days ago.

"It's only natural they won't let our people in; it's a trade secret. Makino established a factory in Qingdao not to help improve our technology, but to access our country's market."

"Muye's equipment costs hundreds of thousands, but they only pay tens of thousands in Europe! Do they think we lack technology or something?!"

CNC machine tools were one of the topics of discussion.

Everyone sighed deeply, feeling quite bitter about the situation.

Feeling inferior to others was one thing, but being taken advantage of was even worsewww.mtlnovel.com Professor Tang from Shuimu University's Department of Microelectronics (the name of the school in 2000) said, "We must acknowledge the gap in circuitry compared to Western countries, but that's okay, we'll keep working hard!"

Someone mentioned, "Professor Tang, I heard that you went to Jiangyang Province to scout a talented student in microelectronics."

Professor Tang chuckled and said, "Yes! A third-year high school student simplified the circuitry of the Demag machine tool's main board and even applied it in practice."

Pointing to a stack of documents on the table, Professor Tang added, "This time, his invention application will be reviewed."

"Really! This kid is amazing!"

"Congratulations, Professor Tang, we've found another promising student!"

Professor Tang waved his hand modestly and said, "As educators, that's our duty. We're here to discover and nurture talents!"

Luo Hai and Zhang Bo entered the room, and the patent review meeting commenced.

Zhang Bo smiled and said, "I apologize for the trouble, experts and teachers, but we need your help once again today."

Luo Hai placed two documents on the table (this group specifically reviewed patent applications for integrated circuits) and said, "Esteemed experts, we have a dilemma this time. Two individuals have applied for the same patent almost simultaneously, and both of them are senior students from Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School."

"Ah!?" The experts were taken aback.

Professor Tang was particularly perplexed and said, "I know an applicant named Su Qiao, who was specially recruited by Shuimu University. His invention was the reason for his special recruitment! Our admissions team teacher reported his patent application. Are you saying that besides Su Qiao, another student applied for the same patent? Could it be plagiarism?"