To answer the questions:
The software is free when an account is opened with Genesis. The $250.00 is only applied to:
1) Traders who use the software for analysis and not executing any orders through Genesis
2) Retail customers who have a very small monthly trading volume.
Data fees:
The exchanges, such as NYSE, AMEX, NASDAQ, etc. charge for each user to get their quotes. Those charges are separate from the software. You can subscribe to as many or as little as you choose. If you only trade the Qs, for example, you will need not subscribe to NYSE or NASDAQ.
We are registered with the NASD, pcx and SIPC.
Our prop traders need s7 and s55 to trade the prop account. Traders may also opt to trade through a retail LLC as well.