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From: bobc@attctc.Dallas.TX.US (Bob Calbridge)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: shareware authoring
Keywords: business
Message-ID: <10889@attctc.Dallas.TX.US>
Date: 8 Jan 90 08:08:40 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: The Unix(R) Connection, Dallas, Texas
Lines: 32


Okay, I've gotten the situation on the copyright straightened out.  Now on to
the meat of the problem.  Does anyone know what the legal implications are of
authoring a shareware product are?  For instance, does one need the set them-
selves up as a business?  I assume that you are required to report your
income from this to the IRS.  

I ask these questions because I don't see too many shareware products that
indicate that they keep track of who, in fact, is a registered user.  There 
are some, of course.  Notably these are the ones that charge in the $25 and
up range.  Given that they have a good user base it wouldn't be to unreasonable
to promise upgrades for minimal fees.  Upgrades mean having to notify the
users and this means expense.  This also means having to have a databse on 
these users.  With a product that initially costs upwards of $25 a $5 fee for
upgrade seems pretty reasonable.  However if one were to charge a minimal 
amount, say $5 or $10, then maintaining business type records for upgrades and
the expense of notification would seem a bit extreme. also the cost of supplying
an upgrade would be a major portion of the original cost.

What it boils down to is that I hope to release a program soon that I feel is
worth $10-15.  I don't want to make promises as to cost of upgrades but I feel
that at least one upgrade will be forthcoming.  Others will depend on response
to the original and suggestions from the users.  What would be an appropriate
method of handling this and still be fair to original purchasers?
 
Thanks,
Bob
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