Creating a company to sell a software product

Hi!

I moved in Germany 2 years ago but I didn't learned too much deutsch because I don't know how long I will stay here.

I created a software and I want to sell it (actually I sell it through a reseller company from America). Now I want to make everything legal. However, I am a computer geek and I don't like to do money/tax related paperwork.

What is the minimum company type that I need in order to be able to sell that software (I sell it on my web site all over the world)?
What if I want to have a company name (instead of Frederic B. to take a fancy name like Proteus Software)?
I know GmbH is not for me because I barely make $500-$1000 per month (it may be more in the near future).
What other choices do I have?
Where can I find a tax advisor? How much does it costs?
How much is the tax?

Can I be a freelancer or self-employee? (though this is the worst case solution because I need a company name in order to start to create a brand)

Sorry for posting so many question.
I can't find all this information by myself because my rudimentary understanding of German language.

Regards
Pixel

License it to an established software company. That would be the easiest thing to do.

Einzelunternehmer


Steuerberaterkammer - Steuerberater-Suchdienst


Yes. (Couldnt you create a brand for your software without it having to be your company name?)

Thank you very much Freising.


My software has its own name. However, I want to display also a company name. It will be much easy to create a brand when you have a company name. The people will trust you more


Then I will have to split the profit. I want to get all money

Just curious, what sort of software it is? What problem does it solve? I sell software using my own company name online through companies who naturally take a cut for their marketing costs, etc. and I've been collecting royalties for around 7 years. It's really added up over the years. I would not so easily dismiss the idea.

Robert

Somebody was speaking about a document 'Setting up one's own business' (in English) about all types of companies available at Ihk-Muenchen.de
( http://www.ihk-muenchen.de/internet/mike/i...nge/BIHKeng.pdf )
As you can see, the link does not work anymore. I used the 'search' tool to search that web site but I cannot find it.
Does anybody know from where I can obtain the document?

My software is for molecular biology. It is used mostly in research institutions.


Do you mean that you are selling YOUR software through a company who is doing marketing for you?
This will be good for me. However, my software is for a very small area. I do not know if I can find a company in this domain to do marketing for me.


Can you recommend a company?

Here: Invest in Germany
There is loads of very helpful info in these documents, I recommend you go through them with a fine tooth comb.

I did a google search for "Molecular Biology Software" and came up with lots of hits, including:

http://genamics.com/software/index.htm

Yes, this is an example of where you might be able to sell your software. Try finding something on that web site. What you want to do it in some way, cripple the software, and provide a free crippled version which for example, only allows you to solve the business problem a limited number of times, or for a limited time. Then you put that out there on the net in as many places as you can. That's the baited hook. Once you've got them hooked, then they must register the product with you for a special key which they can use to uncripple it, or you email them the uncrippled version. Private message me if you'd like more info. I have 17 years of experience with writing software in many different programming languages. The important thing to remember is that let's say you have a software tool out there selling for x number of dollars. You're going to make some money with it if it solves a legitmate business problem. Now imagine having a dozen tools all out there selling. Now you see how royalties, and registrations from customers begin to add up and before long, you're your own boss.

Genamics is my concurrent. They will never sell my software.

I had to look that up, because Im not very familiar with the naming policy of the new HGB, but it seems that even as an Einzelunternehmer, you could register your company as "Proteus Software eK" at the Handelsregister. (as long as there isnt any other company it could be confused with). You would need the "eK" , it means "eingetragener Kaufmann".

If you are selling anything you need an "Impressum" on your web site.
This is a requirement of the German Telecoms Law.
www.digi-info.de/webimpressum is a site I used to find out
what I needed on my sites.

Thank you Freising.

jeremyhay can you explain in few words what is that Impressum? I don't speak German and Google couldn't translate that text
Thanks

According to Telemediengesetz (in german) you have to publish certain information on your business website. Just look at other websites. Most of them have a link called "Impressum" at the bottom of the main page. There you find information like name, adress, legal form, email, trade register,...

For example:
SAP

Imprint is the translation of Impressum. Here is a website that displays the info of the impressum page both in English and German http://owpdb.mfo.de/imprint
hope it is helpful.