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I hope you are not doing this in the UK... Its a breach of both the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act.

To reinforce that point:

UK employers have the right to monitor communications within the workplace as long as you are aware of the monitoring before it takes place. Monitoring can cover: emails / internet access / telephone calls / data / images - with the proviso that - You have the right to see any information held about you (for example, emails or CCTV footage).

And there are clear rules in place describing an employer's responsibilities and the consequences of improper monitoring.

I use a laptop for development (I'd prefer a desktop, but apparently someone thought hi-spec laptops were a better idea). At work, it spends 99% of it's life plugged into a couple of large monitors.

AIUI, health and safety regulations in the UK effectively prohibit anyone spending lots of time hunched over a laptop screen:

Some of the design features on laptops and other portable computers can make them uncomfortable to use for long periods. Employees shouldn't routinely use laptops where full-sized equipment is available or should be provided with a laptop docking station so that they can work with a full-sized keyboard and screen.

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1073793590&type=RESOURCES

No, it seems to have them all. For example, importing DRAM chips from Taiwan is given at:
this page and for China it is: this page. They are both 0%.

"There are no EU preference measures for this commodity on this date" under the "Measures for specific countries and country groups" just means that there are no special reductions or increases and you apply the normal rates from the "Third country measures" box. It doesn't mean that there is no data.

The log-in is only needed if you want to create a personalised version of the site, or for automatic alerts if you regularly import a certain type of product and don't want to be caught out if there is a sudden tariff change.

No, it seems to have them all. For example, importing DRAM chips from Taiwan is given at:
this page and for China it is: this page. They are both 0%.

"There are no EU preference measures for this commodity on this date" under the "Measures for specific countries and country groups" just means that there are no special reductions or increases and you apply the normal rates from the "Third country measures" box. It doesn't mean that there is no data.

The log-in is only needed if you want to create a personalised version of the site, or for automatic alerts if you regularly import a certain type of product and don't want to be caught out if there is a sudden tariff change.

That's nice. What about the tax on the passive components(resistors, capacitors, connectors) which is everything else on the board except for the 3 chips that would fall on this schedule.

Thanks, please try again.

Do I have to do everything for you?

Capacitors, all 0%

PCB, all 0%

Diodes, all 0%

Resistors, all 0%

That's nice. What about the tax on the passive components(resistors, capacitors, connectors) which is everything else on the board except for the 3 chips that would fall on this schedule.

Thanks, please try again.

Do I have to do everything for you?

Capacitors, all 0%

PCB, all 0%

Diodes, all 0%

Resistors, all 0%

That's nice. What about the tax on the passive components(resistors, capacitors, connectors) which is everything else on the board except for the 3 chips that would fall on this schedule.

Thanks, please try again.

Do I have to do everything for you?

Capacitors, all 0%

PCB, all 0%

Diodes, all 0%

Resistors, all 0%

That's nice. What about the tax on the passive components(resistors, capacitors, connectors) which is everything else on the board except for the 3 chips that would fall on this schedule.

Thanks, please try again.

Do I have to do everything for you?

Capacitors, all 0%

PCB, all 0%

Diodes, all 0%

Resistors, all 0%

A careful trawl through all the tariff codes (c.85, and assembled stuff in c.84 for comparison) suggests that all the components would be zero rated - heading 8532 for capacitors; 8533 for resistors; 8534 for the PCB; 8541 for crystals/diodes and 8542 for the various ICs.

This is one of those herd mentality episodes where a lie's been repeated so much that everyone believes it. OP is exactly right.

A careful trawl through all the tariff codes (c.85, and assembled stuff in c.84 for comparison) suggests that all the components would be zero rated - heading 8532 for capacitors; 8533 for resistors; 8534 for the PCB; 8541 for crystals/diodes and 8542 for the various ICs.

This is one of those herd mentality episodes where a lie's been repeated so much that everyone believes it. OP is exactly right.

One more time: this fabled "tax" ( technically a duty ) DOES NOT EXIST. There is no evidence of it. None. The Foundation have ignored all requests for information on it. MPs have raised questions about it in the Commons and no-one has the faintest idea what they're talking about.

That should be an easy statement to back up with a citation.

I can't find one. Can you?

Tariff code 85:8542 covers electronic integrated circuits. Note that all the tariff rates are zero: the supposed "tax on importing components rather than finished goods" does not exist.

Yes, I was fooled by the slashdot summary (yeah, yeah), which said "EU bans the trade of used technology to Africa".

Some sources for those interested in the actual legislation:

Summaries of legislation: Waste electrical and electronic equipment
"The European Union (EU) is taking measures to prevent the generation of electrical and electronic waste and to promote reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery in order to reduce the quantity of such waste to be eliminated, whilst also improving the environmental performance of economic operators involved in its management."

Business Link: Exporting WEEE
"You should export waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) only if you are sure that it will be recovered or recycled safely in the receiving country."

So yes, exporting old hardware for reuse is okay. My apologies to EU.

I don't think this article is accurate. As far as I can see, integrated circuits don't currently incur any import duty either per gov.uk.

Yeah, that's what I thought the TARIC database was saying (but it's such a miss-mash I couldn't be sure).

So what the fuck are they talking about?

But, as some AC points out lower down, reading the TARIC database, or the UK customs copy at http://tariff.businesslink.gov.uk/tariff-bl/export/heading.html?export=false&simulationDate=11/01/12&id=8542000000&additionalCode1=&additionalCode2=&additionalCode3=&countryCode= seems to show that the duty on imported electronic components is 0%.

So what exactly is the problem?

I don't think this article is accurate. As far as I can see, integrated circuits don't currently incur any import duty either per gov.uk.

Import VAT would still be payable (import VAT is not the same as duty), but would be reclaimable against VAT charged when they sell the finished product - this is no different from paying so-called 'input' VAT to UK subcontractors and reclaiming it against 'output' VAT charged to customers. Note that low-value consignment relief (LVCR - a de minimis exception from VAT) does not apply here - a container holding 1000x£15 Raspberry Pi will not be treated as 1000 imports of a low-value £15 item. That only applies if they were sent in genuinely separate consignments.

(and which they most likely had to pirate because there are export restrictions against iran).

For the US -- there's nothing stopping me selling computer software to Iran, unless that software is of military/nuclear/etc use (you can see the full details of what's not allowed here (the PDF)).

Iran is deemed a "State Sponsor of Terrorism" - http://www.state.gov/s/ct/c14151.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctions_against_Iran

If you sell ANY software to Iran that they *could* then use in their supposed nuclear or ballistic weapons programs, you are fucked. Sure, you can argue your TODO List reminder program is benign, but heck, can you counter that it *could* be used to keep the U235 enrichment on target?? Are you willing to spend next 20 years in jail for that?

For the US,
    1. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism (Hezbolah being one)
    2. Iran wants to develop nuclear capability
    3. Iran is under UN sanctions preventing and restricting sales of dual-use equipment, software and processes.

I suspect the only computer expects Iran will be talking to will be either,
    1. threatened or put in jail for violating UN sanctions, or
    2. be foreign intelligence officers

(and which they most likely had to pirate because there are export restrictions against iran).

For the US -- there's nothing stopping me selling computer software to Iran, unless that software is of military/nuclear/etc use (you can see the full details of what's not allowed here (the PDF)).

Company directors' responsibilities

Because it would be an instant disqualification. Please allow me to quote from the page at that URL: "We require that companies are working from secure business offices. Home offices are not considered secure locations."

I had noticed that but opted to ignore it because, if what 2D Boys' wiki entry says about their office is true then they don't have an office as such. Perhaps one exists for legal reasons but I would assume they don't just rent a building to have an address for Nintendo and yet World of Goo is on WiiWare.

The application is clearly aimed at scaring off time wasters and kids wanting to sign up for whatever reason. I'm sure if you presented solid proof of a game concept and were an actual business they wouldn't turn you down. There seems to be an assumption as well that, since you're receiving proprietary information from them, if you're just using your own personal equipment then you'll be storing their document less securely. Just prove them wrong.

Alternatively, develop it as a PC game first where there is no barrier for entry and once it's out there, contact Nintendo. Which may be more or less what happened with 2D Boys.

I want to start a video game development business. Can you recommend a guide to doing this? I would use Google, but I'm not the most skilled at judging the reliability of random Internet sources, and I wanted to know whether you knew of a guide that covers all bases that you find important.

It will be like any other business. You can start out as just an individual, earn money and file taxes for it. If you want to be recognised as a business then, depending where you live, contact the appropriate people. Like Business Link in the UK http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073858805

Regarding the actual development work, I think for any independent really the only options are the PC or iPhone. Anyone can do it for little money. The only issue is making yourself stand out by getting people talking about your game. If it's a success and you make a fair chunk of money then you can consider consoles.

The Wii dev kit is only $2500 (range is $2500 to $10000 so I assume one kit is $2500) to encourage small independent developers to use their system for Wiiware and all signs point to them being much more open if you opt for the Wiiware route rather than a disc based game. But you do have to be a legit developer.

Console development won't be easy and you may not not enjoy it. That's why I would start on a PC and not worry about the financial investments, NDAs, etc up front until after I've decided I want to actually develop games for a living and I'm good at it.

In the UK, fortunately you have a nice little website that tells you all about how to take ideas you have and turn them into money.

Fortunately, they also have a section on protecting your intellectual property that tells you how to do that as well (in terms of patenting, NDAs, Trademarks and Design right). I'm sure the processes aren't quite as straightforward as they look like they are here, but you get the point.

On a personal note - the question of whether to patent is a difficult one. In the internet era it would seem easier to exploit the innovation yourself before anyone else can come up with a similar, but slightly different idea that they then make a shed load of money out of.

Disclaimer: I work for BusinessLink

In the UK, fortunately you have a nice little website that tells you all about how to take ideas you have and turn them into money.

Fortunately, they also have a section on protecting your intellectual property that tells you how to do that as well (in terms of patenting, NDAs, Trademarks and Design right). I'm sure the processes aren't quite as straightforward as they look like they are here, but you get the point.

On a personal note - the question of whether to patent is a difficult one. In the internet era it would seem easier to exploit the innovation yourself before anyone else can come up with a similar, but slightly different idea that they then make a shed load of money out of.

Disclaimer: I work for BusinessLink

How long have you been studying law and in what country?

In my country (UK) this may be perfectly legal and above board due to the 30 day cooling off period on most internet financial transactions.

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1073792577

I am not a lawyer at all, and certainly not a Swedish lawyer but you may find that many other European countries have similar laws. When talking about what is legal and what is illegal I would suggest you do so with a little less certainty if you merely a layman like the rest of us. Notice I posted a link to a relevant site and still said maybe in this post as this could still be argued both ways in court even in my country.

I'm pretty sure that regulations require companies to identify themselves in all communications (it's certainly true for email and web under legislation in last 2 years) with you.

That is a UK company that spams you and doesn't leave the company name and contact details, or who have a website and don't have that information on it are breaking the law.

Review of requirements - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/ruDetail?type=REGUPDATE&itemId=1078632802
The SI - http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si2006/20063428.htm

Would be stupid if this doesn't also apply to audio telecommunications ...!

The other piece of legislation useful to you is the the Unfair Contract Terms Act. Specifically, it mandates that excluding liability for defective or poor-quality goods is permitted only if it is reasonable. No reasonable person would suppose that a change of OS was a reasonable cause for denyng a hardware warranty repair.

The suggested course of action would be to write to the vendor reminding them of their responsibilities under the SOGA, noting that the UFTA precludes exclusion of their liability because of the OS change, and noting that it is your intention, if they do not honour their liability to repair the goods, to bring a small claims action for the cost of the machine.

Your local government or national government should have one.

In the UK that would be Business Gateway/Business Link:
http://www.bgateway.com/
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

> I realize you have all sorts of yummy beers to tuck into, but ounces is a pretty common fluid measure.

Not here, chum. Spirits are measured in cl, beer in pints

Weights and measures
Rules for pubs, restaurants and cafes

You must only sell drinks in approved measures. These are:

        * for draught beer, lager and cider, pints, half pints and the rarely used third of a pint
        * for gin, rum, whisky and vodka, multiples of 25ml or 35ml, except when they're served as part of a cocktail
        * glasses of wine in multiples of 125ml or 175ml
        * carafes of wine in multiples of 250ml