Looking for a little business related help
by Kenn Austin · in General Discussion · 11/30/2000 (6:12 pm) · 5 replies
Alright, here's the deal. I'm trying to start up a company. So far I've got a hand full applications, a few definite team members, and a couple contacts. All this is great, but I need a bit more. What I need is some information about how to go about starting up a business, especially in the category of legalities. It can't be as easy as "I've got a business now." I'd really appreciate any information people could give me on this topic.
-Kenn Austin
-Kenn Austin
About the author
Check out my new iPhone / iPod Touch game at www.fireworkshavoc.com!
#2
Work with your contacts, see how compatible you are, and see if anything comes from your initial meetings/calls/chats/emails. If things start happening, then you can take it to the next level of getting lawyer and forming a corporation.
Imagine where the music world would be if the first question that Lennon asked McCartney was to "sign this non-disclosure". This is very similar... Get the sparks flying, then do the "icky" stuff.
Jeff Tunnell
12/03/2000 (10:11 pm)
I wouldn't be too worried about the legal aspects of running your development company for a while. The odds of really getting a project up and running, let alone completed, on your first try are low. If you start off worrying about the legal aspects before you have any momentum, your odds go even lower.Work with your contacts, see how compatible you are, and see if anything comes from your initial meetings/calls/chats/emails. If things start happening, then you can take it to the next level of getting lawyer and forming a corporation.
Imagine where the music world would be if the first question that Lennon asked McCartney was to "sign this non-disclosure". This is very similar... Get the sparks flying, then do the "icky" stuff.
Jeff Tunnell
#3
We got about a month into the development process (with about 25 team members working furiously) when suddenly about half the team quit (reasons will remain undisclosed). We still had the other half--everything's fine, right? Wrong.
Since we never had the team members sign any contracts, they retained the rights to the work they did for the MOD and we were stuck not being able to use any of it. So, we had to start from near the ground again.
I wouldn't underestimate the power and importance of a well-written (preferably by a lawyer) contract or agreement. It will save the company headaches in the end. Anyway, as long as you are a legally incorporated company, you would be wise to always have people sign contracts because of the serious liabilities you take on when you incorporate (and give out company stock options, or however you are compensating your team members).
That's my two cents.
04/21/2001 (1:57 pm)
I would be careful whatever you do. Our company started out with the "we'll figure out the legal stuff later" idea. After all, we were doing a MOD to start with and "how can you have legal problems with a MOD?" Right? Wrong.We got about a month into the development process (with about 25 team members working furiously) when suddenly about half the team quit (reasons will remain undisclosed). We still had the other half--everything's fine, right? Wrong.
Since we never had the team members sign any contracts, they retained the rights to the work they did for the MOD and we were stuck not being able to use any of it. So, we had to start from near the ground again.
I wouldn't underestimate the power and importance of a well-written (preferably by a lawyer) contract or agreement. It will save the company headaches in the end. Anyway, as long as you are a legally incorporated company, you would be wise to always have people sign contracts because of the serious liabilities you take on when you incorporate (and give out company stock options, or however you are compensating your team members).
That's my two cents.
#4
04/27/2001 (2:48 pm)
Just a quick note... most state governments (USA) have documents on how to start up a small business. Nearly every state will even give you a free appointment for advice on what type of organization to start, do's and don'ts, etc. I think people would be surprised on how easy it really is to start a company or sole proprietorship. (Making a game is much harder...) Check at your home state's government web address for info. I agree though, you need to have a product before you begin to worry about the legalities of forming a company.
#5
Brock Ferguson,
Silverlime Communications
07/04/2001 (7:08 am)
create a business plan before everything. they are official and can be used a lot when going to a lawyer or bank. i would also register your business with your state/province. it is official and can be shown to everyone and you have the right not to answer questions when you have it. good luck.Brock Ferguson,
Silverlime Communications
Torque Owner Rick Overman
Avoiding Disaster and Positioning for Success: Business and Legal Essentials for Building Your Game Development Company
--Rick