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 uucp: mouse@mcgill-vision.uucp arpa: mouse@larry.mcrcim.mcgill.edu