I’ve known many talented engineers who know nothing about business, what’s legal or not, and I politely think this is likely one of those cases. The person put in a ridiculous amount of work, and is trying to think of anything that could work. Maybe those seemed like the simplest possible solutions, and so they listed them. I think it’s worth it to give them a little bit of slack, and assume their intentions are wholesome, until there’s evidence otherwise.
Additionally, there may be people from countries where this partnership would be, or could be, made legal— but the OP probably doesn’t know the name of the specific “Stripe” equivalent is… I certainly wouldn’t.
> I’ve known many talented engineers who know nothing about business, what’s legal or not, and I politely think this is likely one of those cases.
Imagine for a second if Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical engineers had this complete lack of responsibility, accountability, and liability in the work they do. The fact that people here are even offering serious advice that this guy stop what he's doing and seek legal help is going above and beyond
Additionally, there may be people from countries where this partnership would be, or could be, made legal— but the OP probably doesn’t know the name of the specific “Stripe” equivalent is… I certainly wouldn’t.