Conflicting Interests
Episode 2 of Billion Dollar Code begins two years before the big trial. Lea Hauswirth from Windmill and Keen Law Firm shows up at Juri’s address. She’s determined to win this case for Juri, adamant that Google have stolen his algorithm – which she’s read. He agrees to work with her but on a condition – that Carsten not be involved. Lea Hauswirth, a lawyer from Windmill and Keen Law Firm, arrives at Juri’s address two years before the big trial. She is determined to win the case for Juri, adamant that Google have stolen his algorithm - which she has read. He agrees to work with her but on one condition: that Carsten not be involved. ..
In 1994, the press swarm all over Terravision after the Kyoto conference, with the pair invited to numerous conferences for over a year. They were even put on a list for most innovative tech producers too. The creme de la creme though comes from the pair being invited across to California, and specifically to see Brian Anderson. Now, Anderson happens to work for Silicon Graphics. This “hippie” company have beta versions of Onyx running, and numerous investors willing to get a slice of the pie. ..
Carsten and Juri have big plans to distribute Terravision out to every person. Juri wants to go one step further though and actually allow the product to deep dive down to street level, with examples given of visiting a virtual museum or entering showrooms to see what’s on the shelves. It’s a democratic platform with no borders and a revolutionary tech that’s never been seen before. Of course, Brian and Juri both run with the idea, and using the internet as their platform of choice.
With Google entering the fray, Carsten begins to worry that he’s being pushed out of the picture. Unfortunately, this comes in the form of Juri being offered a job at Silicon Graphics. Carsten however, doesn’t think this is a good idea. This just so happens to be the turning point in the whole story, the moment where Google enter the fray and the patent infringement begins.
Specifically, Juri returns to Berlin with Carsten and says goodbye to Brian that night. Coming back from California, the pair decide to reinvigorate the office, turning it into their very own Silicon Valley. Art+Com essentially becomes Germany’s very first start-up. The thing is, they need between 5-7 million marks to get a CD-ROM version of Terravision going – along with an integrated phone book built in for each house. ..
The pair decide to bring in new investors to join Telekom. The trouble is, no one is willing to part with cash needed and in Germany everything is lagging behind the US. And to top it off? Even Telekom are pulling their investment. For Juri this is a massive blow – especially given they could have gone with Brian Anderson st Silicon Graphics.
Despite the set-backs, Carsten isn’t giving up and in fact, he’s contemplating an extension or Terravision to allow them to travel back through time. Despite their passion, the drive to find investors in order to stay afloat begins to wane. The reality of their financial situation hits home and hangs over them like a black cloud.
Unfortunately, this means that they also lose Christine, one of their more valuable members of staff in the process. This is one step too far for Juri, who loses his temper and demands Carsten make good on his promise to become the German Silicon Valley. Thankfully, their perseverance pays off as the late 90’s explodes and sees the .com bubble settle in.
Brian Anderson has been working with Google all this time, creating Google Earth in secret. As Carsten and Juri watch their demo online with horror, they realize the pair are stealing from them.
Juri received an email just after from Brian, with him en-route to Berlin on the next flight. However, all of this seems to have stemmed from Juri opening up to Brian and telling him everything about the algorithm during their drunken time in California. Uh oh.
The Episode Review
As the billion-dollar code for Terravision tightens around their necks, the team at the company must decide if they want to stay in Silicon Valley or give up their dreams of making a difference. With Google looming large in the background, will they choose to fight for what’s right or give in and let Google take over?
This chapter works well to develop both Juri and Carsten as characters, showing their allegiances and how their relationship is tested in these trying moments. ..
Episode four of “The Crown” left viewers on the edge of their seats, with many questions unanswered. The ending definitely hints that there is more drama to come in the next episode, leaving things wide open for this brilliant biographical drama. ..
