Chapter 3
During the interview, Howard boasted, "The system is what my team achieved after working around the clock."
The reporter asked, "So who developed the core technology?"
Howard answered, "It was a team effort."
He didn't mention my name.
I was sitting there in the crowd. I couldn't help but feel kind of disappointed.
But I thought that as the boss, he was supposed to be out front. I told myself I was his wife, and I didn't need to compete for attention. So, I let it go.
By year four, we finally upgraded to a real office tower, and the number of employees expanded to fifty.
Howard dove headfirst into networking. He was out wining and dining every single night. He said it was part of the job, and I understood it.
By year five, our company was worth tens of millions of dollars.
Howard upgraded to a Benz and bought himself a villa. That was when he started getting annoyed with me.
He'd complain by saying, "Sarah, can't you dress up a little? You always look so frumpy.
"Sarah, stop staying cooped up at home all day. Go out and meet some people for once.
"Sarah, you're a tech nerd. What do you know about actually running a business?"
I didn't say a word. Instead, I kept coding, developing, and filing patents.
Over seven years, I racked up seven patents. Each one was the company's core technology, and every single one had my name on it.
Howard never asked about them. He figured those certificates were some meaningless paperwork collecting dust. He believed the real value of the company was in clients, business channels, and his so-called connection.
However, he had no idea that without those seven patents, his company wouldn't be worth a dime.
By the eighth year, he was cheating on me.
By the time I found out, he had already been with Tina for six months. But I didn't make a scene.
Instead, I started getting prepared. I locked away the patent certificates, backed up all the development records, and made sure every single line of code had my name on it. Then, I asked for a divorce.
He thought I couldn't take it anymore, but in fact, I was ready.
I looked at those seven patent certificates, with a faint smile tugging at my lips.
Howard, you said I could do nothing. Let me show you what this really meant.
*****
Three days after the divorce, I arranged to meet someone. He was Anthony Mason, the best intellectual property lawyer in the city.
"Ms. Nolan, I've reviewed everything." Anthony flipped through a folder with a serious expression. "Are you really sure about this?"
"Absolutely," I replied.
"Do you understand what this means?"
"Yes, I know exactly what it means."
He set the folder down and looked at me. "Ms. Nolan, these seven patents are basically the heart of your company, well, Howard's company now."
"Exactly."
"Under patent law, nobody can make, use, or sell anything with your patents for business without your permission."
"Exactly."
"So, Howard's company has been using your patents for eight years without ever getting your permission or paying for a license."
"Exactly."
Anthony took a deep breath. "Ms. Nolan, you've got two options."
"Please go ahead."
"The first option is to settle. You could ask Howard to pay licensing fees for your patents, or sell the patents to him. It's the fastest and least hassle."
"What's the second option?"
"The second one is to sue." Anthony paused for a moment. "You could file a lawsuit against Howard's company for patent infringement."