I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 52: What Should They Do

Matthew sat in the conference room of Martinez & Cruz Legal Solutions, the atmosphere tense but focused. Daniel Martinez, the lead attorney, entered with a stack of documents and a laptop, followed by two associates carrying legal references on cybersecurity, national security laws, and international business agreements.

"Good afternoon, Matthew," Daniel greeted, taking his seat at the head of the table. "Saimon and Leo, good to see you both. I understand this is a matter involving U.S. intelligence agencies?"

Matthew nodded. "That's right. We were contacted by both the NSA and CIA. They're interested in our cybersecurity system, and they've hinted that this interest comes with backing from the White House. They've framed it as a potential partnership, but it's clear they want access to our technology."

Daniel frowned slightly, tapping his pen on the table. "This is a serious escalation. When you're dealing with agencies like the NSA and CIA, you're not just facing legal pressure—you're entering a field of national security and geopolitics. We need to approach this carefully."

One of the associates, Elena, spoke up. "Have they made any formal requests for access to your technology or source code?"

"Not yet," Matthew replied. "They emphasized that they weren't asking us to violate our agreement with Facebook. But they did suggest that working with them could provide 'protection' from other actors like China and Russia."

Daniel leaned forward. "That's typical intelligence speak. They're implying a national security interest, which means they could potentially invoke certain legal powers to pressure cooperation. However, since you're based in the Philippines, their jurisdiction is limited."

Saimon raised an eyebrow. "Limited how? Can't they just subpoena us or something?"

"No," Daniel said. "You're a foreign company operating under Philippine law. They would need to work through diplomatic channels or treaties, such as a mutual legal assistance agreement (MLAA), to formally compel cooperation. But that process is lengthy and requires justification. They're likely trying to avoid that by framing this as a partnership opportunity."

Leo exhaled in relief. "So they can't just strong-arm us legally?"

"Not without causing a diplomatic incident," Daniel confirmed. "However, that doesn't mean they can't apply indirect pressure—through your clients, business partners, or even your government. We need to prepare for all scenarios."

Matthew nodded. "That's what I was afraid of. What options do we have?"

Daniel outlined several strategies on his laptop screen. "First, we need to protect your intellectual property. I suggest we file additional patents for key elements of your system, both in the Philippines and internationally. This will strengthen your legal standing if anyone tries to reverse-engineer or infringe on your technology."

"Good idea," Saimon agreed. "But what about the partnership offer?"

"We need to negotiate from a position of strength," Daniel replied. "If you're willing to consider their proposal, we'll draft strict terms. These would include non-disclosure agreements, limits on access to proprietary technology, and indemnification clauses. Essentially, they can't hold you liable for failures or breaches beyond your control."

Matthew leaned back, considering the options. "And if we don't want to work with them?"

"Then you'll need a public relations strategy," Daniel said. "If this goes public, you need to frame your company as a protector of data privacy and cybersecurity—values that resonate globally, especially given the current distrust in tech surveillance. This will make it politically costly for any government to pressure you overtly."

Leo crossed his arms. "So either way, we're playing with fire."

"Correct," Daniel said bluntly. "But you have leverage. You've developed technology that even the most advanced intelligence agencies can't crack. They need you more than you need them."

Matthew exhaled slowly. "What if they offered us a huge amount of money in exchange for the access so they can use it?"

Daniel gave a thoughtful nod. "That scenario is not far-fetched. Government contracts, especially with agencies like the NSA and CIA, can be extremely lucrative. We're talking millions—potentially even billions—of dollars if your technology becomes a cornerstone of their cybersecurity operations."

Elena, the associate, chimed in. "Government contracts often come with long-term commitments. They may pay for exclusive rights to your technology, ongoing updates, and support services. However, there are risks—government contracts typically include extensive compliance requirements and audits. You could also face political scrutiny, especially if your system is seen as giving too much power to any one nation."

Matthew tapped his fingers on the table. "So, you're saying it could be good for business, but we'd be trading some control over our technology?"

"Exactly," Daniel confirmed. "It's a balancing act. You can negotiate terms to retain ownership of your technology while licensing certain features to them. You could also impose restrictions on what they can and cannot do with your system, such as limiting access to certain functions or retaining the right to update the system on your terms."

Saimon frowned. "But wouldn't that put us on the radar of other countries, though? I mean, if the U.S. government uses our system, what's stopping other nations from pressuring us for access too?"

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"That's a valid concern," Daniel said. "You'd need to weigh the pros and cons of aligning with one nation's defense apparatus. If you become too closely associated with U.S. intelligence, you might alienate potential clients in other regions. However, with proper contracts and PR positioning, you can emphasize that Sentinel Systems is a neutral, privacy-first company focused on global cybersecurity."

Leo leaned forward. "Is there any way we can benefit from both sides without pissing anyone off?"

Daniel chuckled. "That's the billion-dollar question. You could offer different licensing models—non-exclusive features for global clients and more advanced features for strategic partners. This keeps you in demand while minimizing favoritism."

Matthew stood, shaking Daniel's hand. "Okay…this has been a productive discussion. Thank you for laying out our options. I'll need some time to think this through, but we'll definitely be moving forward with the patent filings and preparing for negotiations."

Daniel nodded firmly. "We'll begin drafting the necessary documents immediately. I'll also have our PR team prepare messaging in case you need to make a public statement. We want to stay ahead of any leaks or narratives that might arise from this."

Elena added, "Also, keep a record of all communications with U.S. agencies. If this escalates further, it's important to have documentation of every conversation."

"Got it," Matthew said. "I'll forward you everything we've received so far."

Leo leaned against the table and crossed his arms. "So, next steps? Should we reach out to the NSA and CIA ourselves or wait for them to contact us again?"

Daniel shook his head. "Let them make the next move. They'll likely be eager to follow up, especially since they've hinted at high-level interest."

"Very well."