This is very true! I run a small painting, decorating and property maintenance business here in the UK and the red-tape even in that is staggering! Company formation, accountancy fees (tax here is very complex and you need to be on the right side of it, legally required insurance, vehicle running costs - non of that cheap US gas here! Material costs, advertising costs, sub-contractor regulations and liabilities, PAYE liabilities... the list is endless). This is before I even mention that incredibly tough competition!

I used to live in the US, and things were VERY different there. I would caution anyone to seriously investigate the legal and technical aspects of many of the things that the OP suggests if you are thinking of doing them in the EU and you don't want to end up in court!!!!!