Chapter 29

"50%...?"

I asked if I had heard correctly, thinking it must be a mistake. Surely it couldn't be 50%. We're not a pharmaceutical company that invests huge sums of money in development.

"Yes, if we don't have to provide all the equipment, it would be quite difficult for us to go as high as 90%, like with an artifact..."

90%? How does the patent system work in this world?

"Hmm... Is 50% on the low side? I'm not very familiar with these things."

"Yes, this is my first time dealing with a patent contract, and the detailed terms will be decided with the help of a commercial guild mediator, but generally, patent fees are around 7-50% of the profit, especially for something this significant..."

Is that how it works...

Does this mean the technology is protected? It seems almost too advanced for the cultural level of this world.

Well, there are geniuses in every world, I suppose. Perhaps the convenience of magic tools has contributed to this level of civilization.

But wait, he mentioned exclusivity. If I take 50% here, will this technology only be used by this coal mine company?

If we halve the ratio and spread it twice as wide, it would balance out. Could this be a viable direction?

The coal mine company might not agree, but we could offer them other benefits, like a dealership.

"Um, I have an idea, but I'm not sure if it's procedurally correct. Can I discuss it with a commercial guild representative? If it works out, the patent fee could be even lower, and there's a good chance you'll make more profit."

"Is there such a method? As long as it generates profit, we're open to it, but we reserve the right to decline if there are any issues. However, we're open to your proposal."

"Then, can we do that? Is it okay to start now?"

"Ah, I'll go get the coal mine company president. Please wait a moment."

With that, the coal mine company representative ran off.

Eggu was still doing something around the coke oven.

After a while, a lively middle-aged man and the previous representative arrived.

"I heard you said it could be cheaper than 50%. Is that really okay? Honestly, I thought 50% was already quite low."

"Yes, but it will be a bit of a special system, so I'll explain it when the commercial guild representative is here. I don't want to repeat myself, as it might get boring."

"Alright, I'll go with the commercial guild representative. Is now a good time?"

"I don't mind, but will the commercial guild representative be available?"

I thought it would be a problem to suddenly bring up a new contract without an appointment...

"That should be fine. They're known for their quick response. Unless there's a major event, there should be a few of them around. Of course, if they judge it to be a trivial matter, it might be delayed, but a refining fuel that can replace charcoal is significant. It would be one of the biggest events in this city, aside from special materials."

"Are special materials that significant?"

"High-quality materials are incredibly expensive. For example, when some dragon materials were brought in about ten years ago. Recently, there's a rumor that a whole metal lizard was brought in. If it's true, it would be a big deal, though not as big as a dragon. But if something that large was brought in, someone would definitely notice and cause a commotion, so it's probably just a rumor."

I'm sorry, but that's not a rumor. I brought it in using my item box.

I'm not in dire need of money right now, so I don't plan to disrupt the market, probably.

"R-Right, well, if that's the case, there's no problem. Let's go now."

"Sure, I'm looking forward to your idea about the patent for the coke you invented."

I'm sorry, but I didn't invent coke; it was invented by someone great in the past.

I keep apologizing in my head, even though I haven't done anything wrong.

I follow the charcoal seller and the coal mine company president.

We soon arrive at the commercial guild, a clean and white building, unlike the adventurer guild.

Inside, instead of a counter like at the adventurer guild, there's a small reception area that looks like a university research building.

A woman, similar to the one at the adventurer guild, is sitting at the reception desk, but she looks more stern, like a secretary in modern Japan.

"We're here for a patent contract negotiation and need a mediator."

"What is the patent contract about?"

"It's about a fuel that burns hotter than charcoal and is cheaper to produce, suitable for refining."

"Wh-What!? ...Did the coal mine company develop such a thing?"

"No, the young man here developed it, but we've confirmed it works, otherwise we wouldn't be here."

Being called a young man. Japanese people often look young.

But I've seen people who look Japanese here too...

"Well, there's no reason to lie, and even if we don't know how practical it is, it's clearly an important matter. I'll get a mediator for you."

The receptionist, though flustered, quickly regained composure and started her duties.

The mediator is a young man, also a human, despite this being a dwarf-dominated city.

Perhaps, regardless of the mediator, negotiation and similar jobs are mainly handled by humans.

"I'll mediate. My name is Kaichi. Nice to meet you."

Ah, right, this might become a special contract. Is he the right person for this...?

If not, I'll deal with it when the time comes.

"My name is Kaede. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Gainta. Nice to meet you."

Kaichi leads us into a room that looks like a laboratory.

Once inside, Kaichi gestures for us to sit and operates some magical device before taking his seat and speaking.

"Today, we're here for a patent contract mediation. Do you need an explanation of the patent system?"

I don't know much about the patent system in this world. I'm not an expert in the original world either.

It would be good to hear an explanation.

"If it's okay with everyone, I'd like an explanation."

The charcoal seller and Gainta nod. They don't seem to think it's unusual.

"Alright, I'll explain. A patent is a system where the user of the patent pays a fee, usually a percentage of the profit or revenue, to the patent holder. In rare cases, it can be in the form of goods. This system protects inventors of new technologies and products, as well as discoverers of artifacts. Avoiding patent fees through illegal means is strictly punished. Generally, for monetary fees, it's 90% of the profit for small magic stones or artifacts, and 80-50% for new technologies. The exact percentage is determined through negotiation, but it's usually based on the added value of the technology and the potential profit without it."

Hmm...

Negotiation, huh? This could be a hindrance if I want to spread the technology widely.

"I understand the basics. Is it possible to create a patent contract without negotiation?"

"I don't think that's possible, as the price would need to be determined for the contract to be valid."

"Ah, I might not have explained it well. For example, I could declare, 'If you use this technology, I'll take 50% of the profit, and you can use it freely within that range.'"

"Hmm... I'm not sure I can make that judgment. I'll get the branch manager."

Kaichi left in a hurry, and soon a plump man who looked like a typical merchant entered.

"Hello, I'm Niaaki, the branch manager of the Merchant Guild in Eleera. I heard you want a special patent contract. Please explain your idea."

"Sure. First, I want to receive about 30% of the profit. I'd like to distribute 10% to the coal mine company and 10% to the charcoal seller. What do you think?"

"Will the users of the patent receive money? How is this different from lowering the patent fee?"

"No, the important part is what comes next. I want the charcoal seller and the coal mine company to spread this technology, and I'll receive a portion of the profit they generate. The rest will be distributed to the coal mine company and the charcoal seller. This way, as more people use the technology, all of us will benefit, and the technology will develop. Technology only develops when it's widely used."

I could suggest things like blast furnaces to further development, but it might be better to wait until coke is more widespread.

On Earth, coke and iron production developed together, but it seems they can produce iron with coke alone here.

Niaaki was silent, deep in thought, but suddenly looked up.

"Indeed, that's a good system! However, it could lead to intense price competition, which would be difficult to maintain high profit margins. High profit margins are usually maintained through exclusivity or oligopoly."

"That's true... How about setting a fixed price per kilogram and taking a patent fee based on that? This way, the competition would be based on quality, not price. No matter who wins, I won't lose, and the competition would help eliminate poor-quality products, which would be beneficial for me."

"That seems reasonable. Mr. Miyasu, Mr. Gainta, are you okay with this?"

"I'm fine with it. Our scale has its limits."

"I don't mind either. There are many unexplored mines, and there are larger sites than this. It would be wasteful to have an exclusive deal here."

With their agreement, we started to finalize the details.

"Then, can we set a fixed price based on the costs and sign the contract?"

"Ah, if possible, could we wait for three days?"

Niaaki said apologetically.

"Even as a branch manager, I can't make this decision alone. I need to contact the guild master, and it will take at least three days to get preliminary approval. With a technology that could increase metal production, we need to coordinate with other parties as well."

It's like a government office. Actually, it is a government office.

At least it's more efficient than a typical government office, which can take months or years.

We left the guild and decided to part ways for the day.

I returned to the inn and went to bed, but before sleeping, I checked my status and noticed my MP limit had increased by 1.

Perhaps it grows even without leveling up.