[Tomte]

So even in your opinion it's in the same space and similar.

Don't work for them, don't have them send you anything remotely technical (specifications, code, documentation).

[throwaway642012]

They're a scrappy startup, and don't have much legal firepower. They're having hard time find people, so I agreed to help them. But after reading the comments here, I think it's better to back out instead of having potential future legal troubles.

[DoreenMichele]

They're a scrappy startup, and don't have much legal firepower.

And if your project becomes big money, they may sue because they are still struggling to get by and you aren't.

So I think your impetus to turn it down is the correct one.