AWB Chapter 329 300 Million and 20,000
Chapter 329 300 Million and 20,000
"Director Han, this is not in accordance with the rules."
Suppressing his anger, President Wang said in a harsh voice, "Xiao Ju is currently our most important and crucial asset!"
How could it not be crucial?!
In the recently concluded Silba 3rd Annual Idol Popularity Election, Ju Jingyi won the title of Popularity King with a staggering 2307527 votes!
Based on an average price of 35 RMB per vote, her fan votes alone contributed a net profit of 70.4 million RMB to Siba!
If you add in the revenue sharing from subsequent endorsements and commercial performances, this one girl can generate over 100 million yuan in revenue for Siba in a year!
This is why SNH48 was willing to spend a lot of money and pull strings to get Ju Jingyi into "Novoland: The Castle in the Sky" to play a supporting role for Li Xin!
Their original plan was to leverage Haofeng's connections to enhance their leading lady's career.
This not only makes it easier to earn more money later, but also gives an explanation to the fans who spent money.
But now, not only have they failed to latch onto a powerful ally, they've also lured a wolf into their own backyard!
"Director Han, you're a veteran in the industry, so you should understand how difficult it is for us to run a girl group."
Mr. Wang decided to speak frankly, and said with a cold laugh:
"Ju Jingyi is now a vital asset that can generate over 100 million yuan in revenue for our Samba Club annually!"
"You think you can just make us hand over this cash cow with a single sentence?"
"If this deal actually goes through, I won't be able to explain it to the board of directors!"
To dissuade Lao Han from trying to get something for free or to buy it under duress, Boss Wang gave his assistant a wink:
"Go! Bring over Ms. Ju Jingyi's exclusive agency contract and show it to Director Han!"
……
Two minutes later, the original copy of Ju Jingyi's agency contract was placed in front of Lao Han.
"Director Han, take a look." President Wang's voice gained a bit more confidence.
"This contract is in black and white, signed and stamped with the company seal!"
Old Han took the contract with a smile and casually flipped through it.
However, when his gaze swept over those densely packed clauses, even though Old Han was used to the ruthless methods of this profit-driven world, his brows couldn't help but twitch.
"Holy crap, this is insane!" Old Han cursed inwardly.
On the contract, several lines of text were clearly printed:
[Contract term: 8 years. It is stipulated that if the artist is under 30 years old at the end of the contract, the contract will be automatically extended until the artist reaches 30 years of age.]
[Furthermore, the exclusive agency rights for Ms. Ju Jingyi (Party B) in all film, television, variety show, and other performing arts activities stipulated in this contract are for a term of 20 years!]
[If the contract is terminated unilaterally, the penalty for breach of contract shall be RMB 300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Yuan).]
This is hardly a brokerage contract.
It's practically a contract of servitude that leaves no way out for anyone!
Even the exorbitant breach of contract clauses imposed by Haofeng Film & Television over the years, which were laden with restrictive measures, seem like a charity in the face of such bottomless terms.
After all, Haofeng's share of the profits is 50/50, while Siba's 20-year contract with Ju Jingyi is a 20/80 split!
In fact, for the first three years, it was only 15%!
But the most outrageous thing is the blatant 300 million yuan penalty for breach of contract!
A girl group member who has never even appeared on the big screen and rose to fame through fan support in small theaters has had her breach of contract penalty set at 300 million?!
Old Han closed the contract and looked at President Wang, who had a calm expression, with amusement.
"Three hundred million?" Old Han couldn't help but laugh.
"Mr. Wang, the person who drafted this contract is truly... incredibly talented."
"Three hundred million in breach of contract fees? You really dare to ask for that?"
"What, Mr. Wang, are you saying you're not going to give me, Han, any face today?"
Perhaps seeing the original contract made General Manager Wang much more assertive: "Director Han, the contract is right here."
"If you really want to take the person away, no problem. Just follow the procedure, transfer 300 million to our Siba account, and we'll release the person immediately."
He was certain that no matter how rich Haofeng Group was, they would never spend 300 million yuan to be a sucker for a second-tier girl group member!
Old Han smiled, stood up, straightened his coat, and showed no anger; on the contrary, he appeared very polite.
"Alright, since Mr. Wang is following the rules, then I'll take my leave today."
Goodbye.
……
Fifteen minutes later.
A black Mercedes-Benz van was driving on the highway to the airport.
In the back seat of the car, Lao Han took out his phone and dialed the number of Lao Zhu, the director of the group's legal department.
"Old Zhu, it's me, Old Han." Old Han's tone was quite familiar.
"Busy? I have a case on hand and would like to consult your legal department about something."
"Director Han, you're too kind. Please speak frankly. Is there a problem with the contract for one of your department's productions?" Old Zhu chuckled on the other end of the phone.
"No way, don't you know me? When have I ever made such a mistake?" Old Han joked.
"We recently spotted a promising young talent, but he has a contract that states he would have to pay 300 million RMB in damages if he breaches the contract."
"I just want to ask, is this amount really supported in civil litigation within our Dongda University?" Old Han asked.
Upon hearing the figure of three hundred million, Lao Zhu paused for a second on the other end of the phone, then let out a sneer.
As the head of Haofeng's legal department, Old Zhu, who has won countless lawsuits in Nanjing, is extremely familiar with this kind of common trick in the entertainment industry.
"Director Han, don't be intimidated by that figure of three hundred million."
On the other end of the phone, Lao Zhu methodically explained the legal loopholes to Lao Han:
"Within the framework of civil litigation and labor law at our University of Tokyo, the core basis for court judgments on liquidated damages is the principle of equivalence between actual losses!"
"If a lawsuit is to be filed, the defendant artist only needs to argue with the judge that the amount of breach of contract damages is too high and request a reduction."
"The plaintiff, the agency, must provide detailed financial statements to the judge to prove that the training, packaging, and promotion costs they incurred for this artist were indeed close to 300 million!"
"If the actual expenses of nearly 300 million cannot be proven, the court will definitely cut the amount drastically!"
"Mr. Han, I can tell you the truth here." Old Zhu smiled proudly.
"If this case were fought in Nanjing, the maximum compensation would be one million!"
"Even if this case is brought to the Nanshan District court, the final judgment amount will definitely not exceed ten million!"
Upon hearing "Nanshan District," Lao Han realized there had been a misunderstanding on the other end of the phone: "Lao Zhu, the other party isn't Penguin."
"It's a small local company in Beijing that makes girl groups, and they're currently in the B round of financing."
"I estimate that the company's size is probably less than five billion."
Upon hearing this, I realized he was just a nobody with no connections.
Old Zhu on the other end of the phone sneered repeatedly:
"A small company with less than 5 billion? That makes things even easier!"
"Mr. Han, once this case is sent to our legal department, it will take three months!"
"I guarantee that this case will be settled in Jinling within three months at most."
"If the final breach of contract damages awarded to them exceed two million, our entire legal department is quitting!"