I can't name the school or send the full letter as it states I can face further consequences sharing with 3rd parties, a dilemma I have with this is that the same time with my school being one of the most prominent in the news lately relating to Middle East protests I have no doubt I could go viral with this issue boosting my startup. But could cost me my education.
From the letter…
"Specifically, it is alleged that you created an Artificial Intelligence tool and distributed it to students attending the school of .." (a specific school affiliated with my college that has many students that suffer with learning problems)
My startup is an AI website that help students with ADHD and other learning disabilities get their work done. It's an AI powered PDF document and URL link reader, completely free to use for students – essentially a non profit organization utilizing AI to assist students with their work/study.
I launched 1 month ago and am so far at 1200 users. Like I'm sure all of you, my startup is like my baby, and let's just say it's my only child that could be an olympic athlete some day lol. I plan to fight the suspension, arguing that not only is it my personal right to run this business, but not my responsibility for how students on campus use the platform (amongst other arguments).
What would you guys do? If it came down to it, startup or college?
And should I risk my education by making this story public by reaching out to media outlets?
My website, https://www.moltar.ai
My IVY league school just sent me a disciplinary notice threatening to suspend and possibly expel me if I don’t shut down my startup. What should I do?
byu/riprunescape_ inEntrepreneur
Posted by riprunescape_
7 Comments
if you’re not using university computers, they can’t do shit.
Hearing is set for Thursday, maybe I’ll pull a face smash zuck
“Shut it down”. Then rename it and don’t say it’s yours.
How did they learn you were doing it in the first place?
Also, if you’re a senior, you’re just about to graduate, no?
Shut it down.
Start an LLC in a state with anonymous stakeholders (e.g., Wyoming).
Start it back up, with different name.
Send notification email to all current users, from the new domain. Dont directly say that it is affiliated with the old one, just that they’re invited to use this new one.
An afternoon of effort, and a couple hundred bucks, but the corporate veil shields you from being directly associated with it to low-level investigators.
Way back when, my major university did the same thing. It’s really nasty, I would not expect a favorable hearing.
You have a decision to make. Good luck.
So my uni had rules that you couldn’t have more than a part time job – does your uni have similar? Doesn’t necessarily need to be illegal, just against their terms of being a student. Plus be wary that they don’t try and turn it into some copyright/cheating arguement – it’s not a court of law and if they want to kick you out, they can do.
I’d say LLCing it in a different state like the other poster said I the way forward. You know the audience, you’ve got the product.
Not the first time a college has tried banning apps before. Talk to a lawyer.
IANAL but this post and the advice in it should be taken with a grain of salt – discussing loopholes and stuff could be used against you man