Hi I am from Germany and i would like to start a little one man company to sell some software products which I am developing. Since I have no idea about all the buisness stuff I would like to ask you the following questions. 1. Where can i copyright my software and what does it cost? 2. Under what license should i sell software so noone can sell it further on 3. Up to what amount of money may I earn without having to pay taxes 4. If I get a license for commercial software, may I sell this software on EBay? 5. May I use these file formats: Targa .tga? 6. I am working on the windows plattform with MSVC++ 6.0, do I need a special license to use this tool, I bought it 4 years ago. I am just wondering about these points. I don t expect it to be profitable, i just want to try it out.

Each major city in EU have its own ''Youth Entrepreneurship Office'' or something the like. Contact your Mayor''s office for information.

> Since I have no idea about all the buisness stuff

The secret to a successful business is a business plan. It doesn''t have to be detailed, but it is a simulation of everything that will happen in the forthcoming years. To this end, the compiler you use and the file formats are non-issues. Concentrate on the business opportunity and how you plan to attack it: target market, pricing, distribution, PR (i.e. CeBIT? or magazines?), and how much you need to invest to achieve your goals.

> start a little one man company to sell some software products

You are probably not alone in your part of the country doing this. Find local clubs & associations to help you network with people and get recognized. You might also want to read FDL''s columns (http://www.gignews.com/fdldevlife0801.htm, "Secrets of the Game Business" @ Charles River Media) about solo development.

-cb

thx ill check this link out tonight

quote: Original post by Basiror
1. Where can i copyright my software and what does it cost?

Most governments have a patents, copyright and trademarks office. The UK and US ones both have extensive web sites; I expect the German gov does too.

quote: 2. Under what license should i sell software so noone can sell it further on

You don''t have to license software to stop people selling it on but you can include an End User License Agreement if you wish. Read a few licenses from the front of other software titles to get an idea of the sort of things to include. If you are not comfortable draughting your own then get a lawyer (expensive).

quote: 3. Up to what amount of money may I earn without having to pay taxes

That will depend on your local laws. Contact your local income tax office.

quote: 4. If I get a license for commercial software, may I sell this software on EBay?

Not sure I understand what exactly you are thinking of. What type of software are you thinking of selling?

quote: 5. May I use these file formats: Targa .tga?

a Google search may throw up some useful links that will provide information on who created the format and any licensing requirements.

quote: 6. I am working on the windows plattform with MSVC++ 6.0, do I need a special license to use this tool, I bought it 4 years ago.

No you can use it to create commercial software that you intend to sell UNLESS it was some strange student license version with a strange EULA that limits commercial use. Easiest thing to do is run the install and read the EULA (boring I know).



Dan Marchant
Obscure Productions (www.obscure.co.uk)
Game Development & Design consultant

My only comment to Dan's reply above is that ultimately your EULA is enforced by your lawyer. Admit you're not a lawyer and don't embarass yourself by coming to him asking him to rescue you from a home grown EULA. The cost of legal counsel goes up when you're fighting to enforce your EULA instead of his. I'd spend it up front to make sure you are aware of the legal implications ahead of time.

If cost is an issue then you probably can't enforce the EULA anyway so there is no real reason to have one other than to keep the honest man honest at which point do it on your own but don't subject your lawyer to defending something that wasn't drafted by him or one of his colleagues.

Kressilac
ps Legal help is a necessity. Sometimes I too feel like it is not worth it but inevitably a couple of months later events prove that feeling wrong. Your corporate counsel should be just as necessary as your accountant.

[edited by - Kressilac on January 5, 2004 9:53:03 AM]

Business plans are also important if you want to attract investors to your business in the future. The business plan will be your blueprint on how to operate the business.

Obviously you would like to market your business. Here a market plan is good to have so that you know on how to market your software and where to put your ad campaigns and such.
A marketing plan could look like:


Strategy: I want my software to used in my local community.
Key Messages: My Business provides you with software for this and that.
Tactics:
-Posting on bulletin boards in my community.
-Attend a local radio show.
-Advertise in local newspapers.

When it comes to copyrights you have to check with Germany''s patents and registration office. I know that in some countries in the EU you are already protected autmatically when you create something at least in Sweden. However this is not the case in the UK and US. For trademarks and such you have to pay to keep them , can be real expensive and that goes for patents as well.

Ok you got the picture=) Anyways good luck!

//Daniel
http://www.uziana.com - your source for alternative gaming!

Look at http://www.s-a-ve.com/ in the FAQ section. There are many useful infos for german shareware developers.
Viel Erfolg!

Oh BasiRWAR, I''m so proud of you!