I'm in the process of starting a studio on the Gold Coast, Australia. What I want to know is what/how do you start up? Forming a company in Australia is costly and entails all the "professional" expenses associated with running a company. But if I register a business name I can only trade in the state in which I register... considering we won't be selling anything for a while this may not be such an issue.

So what I'd like to know is what have other people done? If you live in the US or countries other than Australia I'm just as keen to hear from you.

Cheers

Can't speak for Australia. In the U.S. you can get a "DBA" (Doing Business As) license which basically grants you a new legal name to use, rather than setting up a completely new legal entity. It's the cheapest way to go, and works okay if you are going to have a sole proprietorship. If you expand more, you can form a new entity under the old name.

G'day LittleMo

I'm just starting up myself down here in NSW near Albury, we're going the more expensive option by registering a company, cost $1000 but My brother is also starting up his own business so we're sharing the company name. It's a little more expensive but makes it alot easier if one or the other wants our ( no partnership etc )

We become the 2 share holders running sparate books then we'll combine them at tax time.

With registering a business name in your state I doubt it would effect you too much if your selling over the web, as I understand it (we live on the border of NSW and VIC so we see it a bit) the state thing is more for trades type people, say a plumber or builder who wants to work in both states under the name "Bob's Building" he needs licences and insurance stuff.


Pete

A friend of mine just turned me onto this site:

nolo (http://www.nolo.com)

They are a site dedicated to explaining alot of the legal implications of setting up a business. They also sell books on business stuff.

This may not help you guys in Australia, but it might provide a little bit of insight and help for others.

Good luck guys.
-Keith

Thanks for help and suggestions :)

pleahy how many people besides yourself are involved in the games business? Are you going to register a seperate business name under the company?