Live Cat Appraisal: Starting with a Beast That's Got a Long Prison Record

Chapter 41 Malice from the Stars

"A lawyer's letter?"

"What lawyer's letter?"

Hearing Chen Nian's surprised voice, Xia Qiyue immediately dropped her backpack and ran over.

She was stunned when she saw that it was indeed a lawyer's letter.

Her eyes widened even more than Chen Nian's: "Goodness, I've been seeing all this talk about lawyer's letters online, but this is the first time I've ever seen a real one!"

"Who sued us?"

She leaned close to Chen Nian and stared intently.

"Do you remember my live stream with Shirakawa-ge yesterday?"

Chen Nian's voice was calm.

This doesn't look like something you'd expect after receiving a lawyer's letter.

A thought flashed through Xia Qiyue's mind, and she instantly realized: "The logo is missing!"

"It's the manufacturer of those cat treats! Fanxing?!"

She suddenly remembered that there was indeed a clause in the thick set of rules and regulations of the live streaming platform:
—It is strictly forbidden to display the brand logos of non-cooperative competitors clearly and for extended periods in live broadcasts, especially when accompanied by negative comments, as this could easily constitute trademark infringement or unfair competition!

This is usually considered a 'small pitfall' by the streamers.

Unless it's a major livestreamer or something that has caused a negative impact, brands usually don't bother to pursue the matter.

Although Chen Nian's live stream data is increasing, the number of viewers online at any given time is only around 3000+, which is not a very large number.

Neither she nor Chen Nian expected the other party to act so quickly!

The lawyer's letter reads as follows:
-

[Determination of Infringement Facts]

[The streamer displayed pet food packaging bearing the 'Fanxing Brand' registered trademark for 2 minutes and 18 seconds during the live stream, violating Article 57, Paragraph (1) of the Trademark Law.]

[Evidence is as follows: Screenshots of the infringing content (with timestamps)]

Client's requirements:

1. Delete the live stream replay (within 24 hours of receiving this letter) and provide a written commitment that such behavior will not occur again.

2. Compensation for economic losses: To be determined.

3. Public Apology: An apology statement will be pinned to the top of the live stream homepage for seven days, and a public apology will also be made in the live stream room. The content of the apology must be confirmed by the client.

If the above requirements are not met within the specified period, our client will take all legal measures, including but not limited to litigation, to hold you accountable. You will then bear all adverse consequences and costs arising therefrom.

-

"What an international joke!"

After reading the contents, Xia Qiyue was so angry that she almost tore the paper up. Her chest heaved violently, and her pretty face turned bright red.

"What kind of bullshit infringement is this?! When did we ever use their logo for advertising?! I remember clearly, you just said 'cat treats can't be a staple food' and 'many additives may affect the taste,' which of those statements isn't true?! Which cat treat brand doesn't have a lot of additives?! And you call that 'seriously affecting sales'?"

"Pah! They're clearly just trying to take advantage of us because our livestream is starting to do well!"

"."

Chen Nian did not speak.

This cold lawyer's letter was like a key, instantly unlocking a memory from the depths of his mind of that afternoon when he was also overwhelmed by documents.

My father was holding something similar at the time, and his face was ashen.

The whole house seemed to collapse at that moment!

"Chen Nian."

Seeing him staring blankly at the lawyer's letter, his face pale, Xia Qiyue assumed he was stunned by the sudden blow and was filled with self-blame and worry.

She quickly put down the lawyer's letter, her voice filled with urgency and guilt:
"Don't worry, this is ultimately my problem!"

"I'm your assistant, and my job is to help you avoid these risks. It was my oversight that I failed to fulfill my responsibilities. I'll take responsibility for handling the lawyer's letter!"

Seeing that Chen Nian still didn't speak, Xia Qiyue became anxious.

She bit her lip tightly: "I'm so sorry!"

"Or... you can deduct money from my pay!"

Even though she was no longer able to pay the rent, Xia Qiyue did not shirk her responsibility at all.

Instead, he took all the responsibility upon himself.

She didn't want to see Chen Nian get discouraged by this thin layer of paper.

This live stream needs Chen Nian!
Chen Nian abruptly snapped out of that cold memory, and when she looked up, she saw Xia Qiyue's red-rimmed eyes and tightly clenched lips. Her heart tightened, and she quickly tried to comfort her:
"No, it has nothing to do with you. I just didn't realize it at the first moment."

"But."

Seeing that Xia Qiyue was still blaming herself, he couldn't help but raise his hand and pat her shoulder, his tone serious and calm:
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious."

“You see, they didn’t even write down the specific amount of compensation, which shows that they themselves are also guilty. This is more like a form of intimidation and pressure.”

"The actual impact of such warning letters is very limited."

Compared to the one I had seen before, this one was child's play!

Chen Nian's calm gaze and powerful words acted like a stabilizing force, gradually calming Xia Qiyue's excited heart, but her tightly furrowed brows remained unfurrowed.

"Now what?"

"there is always a solution to a problem."

Chen Nian's thoughts became clearer: "Could you help me process yesterday's live stream replay first?"

"Delete or block images containing the Starry Sky logo to prevent the impact from escalating."

"Okay! I'll go right away!"

Xia Qiyue nodded vigorously, her guilt instantly transforming into motivation. She rushed to the computer, opened the editing software, and began processing the video as quickly as possible.

Chen Nian picked up the lawyer's letter again. She sat down at her desk, turned on her computer, and quickly searched for relevant cases and legal provisions.

He carefully recalled every word spoken during the live broadcast.

The thought process is becoming clearer:
First of all, in all my comments, I only pointed out the merchant's 'wrong suggestion': cat treats should not be given to cats as a staple food.

This is true.

Even if it goes to court, Chen Nian has no chance of losing.

Secondly, he also suggested that Haina Shirakawa stop feeding her cat treats and canned cat food, which is perfectly fine.

All you need to do is tell Haina Baichuan and ask them to clarify that the logo appeared as a fan's action and that the streamer did not guide or use it for promotion.

In this way, he would not meet the core elements of infringement.

The only problem might be the need for a public apology.

But I didn't do anything wrong, so why should I apologize?
Chen Nian is not the kind of person who likes to suffer in silence.

After thinking it over, Chen Nian called the person in charge of the other party using the contact information on the lawyer's letter, hoping to see if they could negotiate a solution and try to withdraw the letter.

The call was quickly answered.

Chen Nian walked outside the door.

"Hello? This is Chen Nian. I just received your company's lawyer's letter."

And so, while Xia Qiyue was processing the video, Chen Nian kept communicating with the person in charge.

ten minutes later.

When Xia Qiyue finished the video and looked up, she saw Chen Nian sitting in a chair with her brows furrowed, her fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

"What's wrong?" she asked as she walked over.

Chen Nian pinched her throbbing temples, her tone icy.

"I just called the person in charge of Fanxing to see if we could negotiate a solution to get them to withdraw the letter."

"and then?"

"No matter what I said, they demanded that I publicly apologize in the live broadcast room, saying that my remarks had seriously affected the sales of their products, and that if I did not apologize, I should expect to be sued by their company."

"What right do they have?! Are they just trying to frame me?!"

Xia Qiyue clenched her fists in anger.

I wish I could go through the internet cable and punch that person in charge!
"It's not over yet." Chen Nian snorted coldly: "He also 'mercifully' gave me another 'choice'."

"You're not going to be asked to sell products, are you?!"

"Yes! They want me to promote their products in the live stream so that they will withdraw their letter, forgive and forget, and achieve a 'win-win' relationship, ha."

I still remember the smug look on that person's face when he said those words.

Chen Nian felt a sudden itch in her teeth!

They all wanted to throw Xiao Lan in his face right then and there and give him a good 'crazy scratching'.

"So this is where I was waiting for you!"

Xia Qiyue instantly understood the other party's sinister intentions.

"This is outrageous! Using a lawyer's letter as a weapon to force a livestreamer to sell products?! This is blatant extortion! I've never seen such a shameless tactic in my life!"

The facts are just as they thought.

The operations manager of Fanxing Pet Chain Company had long had his eye on that 'empty prime sales spot' in Chen Nian's live stream!
A livestreamer who precisely targets cat lovers, maintains a stable online audience of 3000+, and possesses immense potential in a vertical niche is simply an untapped treasure!

They had contacted Chen Nian several times to discuss cooperation, but Chen Nian declined each time, citing "strict product selection standards" and "not considering it for the time being."

This is the bottom line!

Although Fanxing's products are widely distributed in the domestic market and have a considerable reputation.

However, Chen Nian had privately tested their products and found that their quality and cost-effectiveness did not meet his standards for promoting them.

To my utter surprise, this time the other party seized the opportunity and turned around to blackmail me!
Chen Nian would never suffer such a loss!

If he were to truly compromise and back down, promote the other party's products, or issue a public apology, then Chen's "moral conscience" would likely shatter on the spot!

Moreover, Chen Nian is not an inexperienced newbie.

After considering it for a while, Chen Nian decided to contact Hai Na Bai Chuan first.

Let the other party clarify things first.

As long as Haina Shirakawa agrees, the rest will be easy.

Thinking of this, Chen Nian immediately opened her phone and sent a message to Hai Na Bai Chuan about the lawyer's letter, and at the end, she also mentioned the other party's shameless blackmail.

"Brother Shirakawa, could you please help me clarify this in writing?"

Who would have thought this guy also had such a fiery temper!

Upon learning that Chen Nian had received a lawyer's letter due to his mistake, Hai Na Bai Chuan was immediately enraged.

He sent a voice message directly.

Even through the receiver, you could feel the simmering anger that was about to erupt!

"That's unreasonable!"

"A cat food company dares to resort to such despicable tactics?!"

"You recorded that bullshit lawyer's letter and the phone call where their manager threatened you, right? Send it to me immediately!"

"You don't need to worry about this."

"My legal team will contact you within ten minutes!"

(Adorable cats are reading this online!)

(End of this chapter)