# Gluecron Legal & Corporate Setup Guide

## IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This document provides a starting framework only. It is NOT legal advice.
You MUST have an attorney review everything before launch. These templates
give your attorney a head start, which saves you money.

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## 1. COMPANY STRUCTURE RECOMMENDATION

### Recommended: Delaware C-Corp (if seeking VC/investment)
- Standard for tech startups
- Investors expect it
- Clear equity/stock structure
- Can issue stock options to future employees

### Alternative: LLC (if bootstrapping)
- Simpler, cheaper to set up
- Pass-through taxation (no double tax)
- Can convert to C-Corp later when raising
- Good for solo founder getting revenue first

### Action Steps:
1. Register with your state's Secretary of State ($50-$150)
2. Get an EIN from IRS (free, irs.gov, takes 5 minutes)
3. Open a business bank account (keep personal and business separate)
4. If Delaware C-Corp: use Stripe Atlas ($500) or Clerky — they handle everything

---

## 2. KEY AGREEMENTS YOU NEED

### a) Terms of Service (see TERMS.md)
### b) Privacy Policy (see PRIVACY.md)
### c) Acceptable Use Policy (see AUP.md)
### d) DMCA Policy (required for hosting user content)
### e) Data Processing Agreement (for EU users / GDPR)

---

## 3. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION

### Trademark
- File "GLUECRON" as a trademark with USPTO
- Cost: $250-$350 per class (do Class 42: software services)
- Can file yourself at trademark.uspto.gov
- Takes 8-12 months but protection dates back to filing

### Domain Protection
- Secure: gluecron.com, gluecron.io, gluecron.dev, gluecron.ai
- Also grab social handles: @gluecron everywhere

### Copyright
- Your code is automatically copyrighted when written
- Add copyright headers to source files
- Register with US Copyright Office for extra protection ($65)

### Patents (later, with attorney)
- The intelligence layer (auto-repair, health scoring, zero-config CI)
  may be patentable as novel software methods
- Provisional patent application: $1,600-$3,000 with attorney
- Gives you 12 months to file full patent

---

## 4. CRITICAL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A CODE HOSTING PLATFORM

### DMCA Safe Harbor (MUST HAVE before launch)
- Register a DMCA agent with the US Copyright Office
- Cost: $6 per filing
- Required to get safe harbor protection (you're not liable for
  what users host on the platform)
- Register at: https://www.copyright.gov/dmca-directory/

### Section 230 Protection
- You're a platform, not a publisher
- Your ToS must make clear users are responsible for their content
- Don't editorialize or curate user repos (safe harbor)

### GDPR Compliance (if any EU users)
- Privacy policy must disclose data collection
- Users must be able to delete their account and data
- Data processing agreement for business users
- Appoint data protection contact

### Export Controls
- Git hosting may trigger export control considerations
- Block sanctioned countries if needed
- Include export compliance in ToS

---

## 5. REVENUE PROTECTION

### Pricing Page Legal
- "Prices subject to change with 30 days notice"
- Auto-renewal disclosure (required by many states)
- Refund policy (keep it simple: prorated refunds on annual)

### Payment Processing
- Use Stripe — they handle PCI compliance
- Never store credit card numbers yourself
- Stripe Atlas can also incorporate your company

---

## 6. COST ESTIMATE (DIY + Attorney Review)

| Item | DIY Cost | With Attorney |
|------|----------|---------------|
| LLC filing | $50-$150 | $500-$800 |
| EIN | Free | Included |
| ToS + Privacy (template) | Free | $1,500-$3,000 review |
| DMCA agent registration | $6 | $6 |
| Trademark filing | $250-$350 | $800-$1,500 |
| Total minimum to launch | ~$300-$500 | ~$3,000-$5,500 |

The templates below save you $2,000-$4,000 in attorney drafting fees.
Your attorney only needs to REVIEW and CUSTOMIZE, not write from scratch.