Chapter 198: Chapter 198

The introduction of the new product is naturally spearheaded by Irene Rowe, followed by department heads involved in the design to give their presentations.

From the product’s appearance and performance to the meaning represented by its internal structure, everything is clearly introduced.

"Our home-type smart robot is not just suitable for young people; even the elderly and children can easily operate it."

Irene Rowe said, nodding to the manager beside her, who immediately understood and was about to have the sample brought up.

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out on site: "This is pure plagiarism! What home-type smart robot, was this designed by you?"

His words were like thunder on a clear day, causing the venue to quiet down instantly.

A microphone was pointed at him, asking sternly, "Sir, you accuse Kevin Group of plagiarism. Do you have any evidence?"

"How would I dare spout nonsense here if I didn’t have evidence?" The man stood up, holding a phone playing a video.

Someone looked closely and exclaimed, "My goodness, how can this company’s product be identical to Kevin Group’s? Whether it’s the design concept or the robot itself, there’s no difference."

"Please look, this is Archway Group’s new product design, and they held a product launch half an hour ago. The launch is being streamed live across the web on Pumpkin Channel; everyone can see it by searching Pumpkin Network on their phones."

Upon hearing him, almost everyone took out their phones to watch Archway Group’s product launch.

Due to the live broadcast, they didn’t see the earlier parts, but from the products Archway Group showcased afterward, indeed, there’s no difference from what Kevin Group described.

"President Rowe, can you explain why your company’s design is completely identical to Archway Group’s? Was it because you plagiarized the design so you rushed to release it before them?"

"Vice President Rowe, the product design as well as the release date matches Archway Group’s; is this because you copied someone else’s work and wanted to release it between their timings?"

"President Sinclair, can you explain this? How can you justify this plagiarism to the consumers?"

No matter the industry, pirated products are strongly resisted, with no tolerance for plagiarists.

Now that Archway Group held the product launch first, there’s no reason to say Archway Group stirred up trouble; all fingers point at Kevin.

After all, Archway released the product first, while they followed behind, which is obviously problematic. Outsiders see it as fearing their plagiarism would be discovered, hence hastily trying to release before Archway Group.

But unexpectedly, Archway Group was a step ahead.

Someone sneered, "Perhaps Kevin thinks Archway Group isn’t a big company, so even if they plagiarize, no one would find out?"

"Everyone calm down, just because they held their product launch half an hour earlier, determining that we plagiarized seems a bit hasty, doesn’t it?" Irene Rowe gestured for silence, her expression unchanged, as if she had anticipated such a result.

She stood calmly on stage, her sharp gaze directly aimed at the person who accused them of plagiarism: "Sir, you claim we plagiarized and provided evidence so quickly—isn’t this speed rather suspicious?"

"What? You plagiarize, but don’t allow others to speak? The facts are laid out clearly; do you have an explanation?" The man said aggressively, "Kevin Group is deceiving consumers. If I hadn’t discovered your plagiarism today, who knows how many people your product would have deceived. Archway’s product is the same as yours, but their price is less than half yours. Doesn’t that pain your consciences?"

Irene Rowe listened and then burst into laughter: "You call us unscrupulous merchants? You accuse us of consumer deception? Sir, if you can’t provide substantial evidence, I might sue you for defamation."

"They already held their launch, and the product is indeed identical to yours. What’s left to say?" The man sneered, raising his phone higher, "Everyone sees the truth; your evasive maneuvers are useless."

"Are you so sure that our products are identical?" Irene Rowe retorted.

The man replied confidently, "Of course, aren’t your designs all smart home vacuum robots? They’re exactly the same."

"I don’t recall ever saying our design was a vacuum robot." Irene Rowe glanced at the vacuum robot released by the other party with a disdainful smile, "A mere vacuum robot—how many years ago was this design? Does this qualify as a new design? Interesting."

She continued, "I never mentioned Kevin’s design was a vacuum robot. Sir, how are you so certain our design and Archway’s are identical, both being vacuum robots?"

Someone in the audience began to doubt, "Yeah, Kevin never said their design was a vacuum robot. How does he know?"

"Exactly, and the vacuum robot was designed ages ago. Launching such a product now is plagiarizing past designs. Does this even qualify as new design?" For more chapters visit novelFɪre.net

"Indeed, vacuum robots have been out for a long time, and even with improvements, they’re still vacuum robots, aren’t they? I thought Archway’s design concept was fascinating, but it turns out it’s just a vacuum robot?"

"How could a vacuum robot be so intelligent anyway—it’s just sweeping the floor."

Instantly, the interest in the vacuum robot design dwindled, and were it not for the plagiarism dispute, likely no one would bother with that man.

Facing increasing doubt from the audience, the man’s hand holding the phone began to sweat, swallowing to calm himself and continued to shout: "Is this a desperate dog barking back? Plagiarism is plagiarism; plagiarists can’t take the stage, just making excuses. Still dare to criticize vacuum robots? If it’s bad, why didn’t you design it?"

"I never said the design is bad; just that it’s not a new design—is there a problem? Is this counted as new?" Irene Rowe asked again, her words sharper, "I don’t deny the rapid scientific progress and thriving electronics industry; Microsoft’s various advancements will be quicker in the future, but taking years-old high-end brands as your own—doesn’t that make Archway Group the plagiarists?"

The man was silenced, struggling for a long time before squeezing out a sentence: "Since you’re so adamantly accusing Archway of plagiarism, can you prove that you haven’t plagiarized Archway?"