Question on OSD #5

[Brian Behlendorf]

On Fri, 23 Nov 2007, Chris Travers wrote:
> On Nov 23, 2007 3:04 PM, Lawrence Rosen <lrosen at rosenlaw.com> wrote:
>
>> 2. Other than certain kinds of encryption software, I believe that US law
>> allows open source software to be freely exported anywhere in the world.
>> Perhaps the relevant government agencies have concluded that it is simply
>> impossible to stop open source software from proliferating. :-) Furthermore,
>> because it is open source, the US government is free to use it, examine it,
>> and perhaps take emergency action if open source software were being used
>> dangerously. That is one advantage we have over proprietary software.
>
> IANAL, etc. but even open source encryption software is largely
> unrestricted (there are, however, notification requirements).  I would
> of course suggest seeking legal help to work through the complexities
> of this area of law, but I don't see it as a major problem.

More on this topic:

http://www.apache.org/licenses/exports/

 	Brian