Especially if he was going to stay relatively small.
I thought Youtube was going to be sued into oblivion.
I thought Uber was going to be regulated into oblivion.
etc.
Money obviously can overcome existing laws, but if you're not prepared for those laws, you will be in for a world of hurt.
I don't think you are making the point you think you are. Youtube confirms to copyright law because they got big enough to notice. Uber is regulated because they got big enough to notice.