Xref: utzoo comp.lang.fortran:707 sci.math:3915
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!bellcore!tness7!killer!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!mcgill-vision!mouse
From: mouse@mcgill-vision.UUCP (der Mouse)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.fortran,sci.math
Subject: Re: S/ware distribution restrictions
Keywords: Software, distribution, Restricted Nuclear Technology Transfer List
Message-ID: <1134@mcgill-vision.UUCP>
Date: 4 Jun 88 09:46:09 GMT
References: <5136@eagle.ukc.ac.uk>
Organization: McGill University, Montreal
Lines: 32
Posted: Sat Jun  4 05:46:09 1988

In article <5136@eagle.ukc.ac.uk>, trh@eagle.ukc.ac.uk (T.R.Hopkins) writes:
> [...LINPACK and EISPACK...]  A footnote states that both packages are
> on the Restricted Nuclear Technology Transfer List and that
> distribution of the sources to many countries [...] is restricted.

> 1) I thought that both LINPACK and EISPACK were in the Public Domain
>    -- can they be both PD and on the RNTTL list?

This is the government.  They can do anything they please.  In this
sort of area, they don't even have to stay legal.  (I don't know
whether either package really is public domain.)

> 3) What is the point of publishing the source codes in book form
>    [...] and then restricting the distribution of machine readable
>    form?  Or are the books also on the list?  Or can't the Russians
>    type .... :-)

This is the government.  Don't expect it to make any sense.  As far as
I can see, these export restrictions make no sense whatever,
particularly when they attempt to place them on information instead of
physical objects.  An export restriction on a VAX (to pick an example)
is almost enforceable.  An export restriction on information, like
source code to LINPACK or EISPACK, is not.  If an "enemy" power
(particularly a large one like the USSR) wants a copy, they will not be
noticeably impeded by the restrictions; they serve only to hamper
nominally friendly entities attempting to obtain copies.  As far as I
can see, at least.

					der Mouse

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