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Business License (do you need one to sell online?)

8 replies [Last post]
Wed, 03/02/2005 - 20:00
Anonymous

Hi,

I'm planning to launch my website soon and I only have 1 game. I'm going to sell my game (via paypal) and I was wondering:

1. Do I really need to get a business license, ficticious name, etc just to sell some games?

2. If I sell my games on Ebay, do I need a business license?

3. As long as I report my earning via my personal income tax, I should be fine. Right?

Please advise.

Ali

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Wed, 03/02/2005 - 20:03
#1
Hamumu
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Business License (do you need one to sell online?)

Yes, legally you absolutely do. Whether you'd get caught if you didn't is another issue entirely, but it's definitely legally required. It is a business you're trying to run, right?

<-- non-lawyer

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Thu, 03/03/2005 - 23:19
#2
Brykovian
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Joined: 07/21/2008
Business License (do you need one to sell online?)

Depends on your state's laws (assuming you're in the US) ... check for state-level government websites. Also, the Small Business Administration (http://www.sba.gov) and non-profit groups like SCORE (http://www.score.org) can give some help as well.

-Bryk

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Fri, 03/04/2005 - 00:00
#3
Zzzzz
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Joined: 06/20/2008
Business License (do you need one to sell online?)

One other thing you need to worry about is personal liability. If somone buys one of your games and gets hurt, they can and most likely will, sue you.

I agree with Bryk, check your local laws and protect yourself, from everyone (fed laws, state laws, liability laws... etc).

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Fri, 03/04/2005 - 09:10
#4
Dralius
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Joined: 07/26/2008
Business License (do you need one to sell online?)

Quote:
One other thing you need to worry about is personal liability. If somone buys one of your games and gets hurt, they can and most likely will, sue you.

??So what you are saying is my new dexterity game Catch the Knife might be a bad idea??

Now to be serious and try to help. The best place to start is either your local chamber of commerce; they should have a web site if you live in a large town; full of information for small business owners, or city hall; they should have the ‘doing business as’ paperwork. It cost very little to register and you will get tons of business related junk mail. This may seem bad but its not. You will get catalogs for shipping supplies, checks, business cards etc. including things you never thought of. Save them, If things go well you will need some of it down the road.

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Fri, 03/04/2005 - 09:31
#5
Anonymous
Business License (do you need one to sell online?)

yep, depends pn the laws in your particular state.

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Fri, 03/04/2005 - 11:50
#6
HRPuffenstuf
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Joined: 12/31/1969
there goes my idea

I guess I should get insurance too as my game "Matches and Gasoline" is about to be released. I wonder if unleaded or diesel is better? Now I know I should have done that focus group!

HR Puff

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Wed, 03/09/2005 - 14:10
#7
Anonymous
Business License (do you need one to sell online?)

I'm in California.

I learned that you do need a "seller's permit" which is about $49.00.

Here is a website which will tell you what you need in your state:

http://www.businessnameusa.com/info.htm

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Wed, 03/09/2005 - 14:18
#8
Brykovian
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Joined: 07/21/2008
Business License (do you need one to sell online?)

Excellent link, alibaba! :)

-Bryk

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