It is important to note that most of the activities that the University of Wyoming engages in are fundamental research. As such, most activities are not subject to export controls, or even if controlled, do not require licensing. Both the ITAR and the EAR have special provisions relating to information that is not subject to export controls, including limited exclusions regarding the release of information in the context of university research and educational activities. Additionally, the embargo regulations have exceptions for certain information and informational materials.
The ITAR and the EAR do not control information which is published and generally accessible or available to the public. Note that even though the two regimes have similar scope, the ITAR and the EAR vary in the specific information that qualifies as publicly available.
ITAR provision: The ITAR describes such information as information in the public domain. 22 C.F.R. §§ 120.10(a)(5) and 120.11. The information in the public domain may be obtained through:
EAR provision: The EAR does not control publicly available technology if it is already published or will be published. 15 C.F.R. §§ 734.3(b)(3) and 734.7. Information is published when it becomes generally accessible to the interested public in any form, including:
The EAR requires that the publication is available for distribution free or at price not to exceed the cost of reproduction and distribution; however, the ITAR does not have such a requirement.
Note also that the EAR does not specify where an open conference, meeting, seminar or trade show must take place, and thus allows, for example, participation at a foreign conference so long as the conference is open to all technically qualified members of the public, and attendees are permitted to take notes. Unlike the EAR, the ITAR limits participation in conferences and similar events to those that are taking place in the United States.
Both the ITAR and the EAR address the issue of general educational information that is typically taught in schools and universities. Such information, even if it relates to items included on the USML or the CCL, does not fall under the application of export controls.
ITAR provision: The ITAR specifically provides that the definition of "technical data" does not include information concerning general scientific, mathematical or engineering principles commonly taught in schools, colleges and universities. 22 C.F.R. § 120.10(a)(5).
EAR provision: The EAR provides that publicly available "educational information" is not subject to the EAR, if it is released by instruction in catalogue courses and associated teaching laboratories of academic institutions. 15 C.F.R. §§ 734.3(b)(3) and 734.9.
Therefore, a university graduate course on design and manufacture of very high-speed integrated circuitry will not be subject to export controls, even though the technology is on the CCL. The key factor is the fact that the information is provided by instruction in a catalogue course. Foreign students from any country may attend this course because the information is not controlled.
The information will not be controlled even if the course contains recent and unpublished results from laboratory research, so long as the university did not accepted separate obligations with respect to publication or dissemination (e.g., a publication restriction under a federal funding). 15 C.F.R. § 734, Supp. No. 1, Questions C(1) to C(6).
During the Reagan administration, several universities worked with the Federal government to establish national policy for controlling the flow of information produced in federally funded fundamental research at colleges, universities and laboratories resulting in the issuance of the National Security Decision Directive 189 ("NSDD"), National Policy on the Transfer of Scientific, Technical and Engineering Information on September 21, 1985. In a letter dated November 1, 2001, President George W. Bush's administration reaffirmed NSDD 189. NSDD 189 provided the following definition of fundamental research that has guided universities in making licensing decisions relative to fundamental research exclusions provided under both the EAR and ITAR.
Basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons.
Research conducted by scientists, engineers, or students at a university normally will be considered fundamental research. University based research is not considered fundamental research if the university or its researchers accept (at the request, for example, of an industrial sponsor) other restrictions on publication of scientific and technical information resulting from the project or activity. Scientific and technical information resulting from the research will nonetheless qualify as fundamental research once all such restrictions have expired or have been removed.
Both the ITAR and the EAR provide that information published and generally accessible to the public through fundamental research is not subject to export controls. However, there are certain restrictions. In order to take advantage of this exemption:
One major difference is that the ITAR requires that to qualify as fundamental research, research must be performed at accredited institutions of higher learning in the United States. Under the EAR, fundamental research may occur at facilities other than accredited institutions of higher learning in the United States.
Under both the ITAR and the EAR, research performed at universities will not qualify as fundamental if the university (or the primary investigator) has accepted publication or other dissemination restrictions.
ITAR provision: the fundamental research exception does not apply to research the results of which are restricted for proprietary reasons, or specific U.S. Government access and dissemination controls. 22 C.F.R. §§ 120.11(a)(8) and 120.10(a)(5).
EAR provision: the fundamental research is distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary reasons or specific national security reasons. Under the EAR, university-based research is not considered fundamental research if the university or its researchers accept restrictions (other than review to ensure no release of sponsor-provided proprietary or patent information) on publication of scientific and technical information resulting from the project. EAR § 734.8(b)(5). However, once the sponsor has reviewed and approved the release, the results may be published as fundamental research.
The EAR instructs that prepublication review by a sponsor of university research solely to ensure that the publication would not inadvertently divulge proprietary information that the sponsor has initially furnished, or compromise patent rights, does not constitute restriction on publication for proprietary reasons.
The EAR also has provided examples of "specific national security controls" which will trigger export controls. These include requirements for prepublication review and approval by the Government, with right to withhold permission for publication; restriction on prepublication dissemination of information to non-U.S. citizens or other categories of persons; or restrictions on participation of non-U.S. citizens or other categories of persons in the research. EAR § 734.11(b).
While the ITAR does not contain such descriptive provisions, the EAR is instructive as to interpreting the limitations on fundamental research.
Under a specific exemption, the ITAR allows a university to disclose unclassified technical data in the U.S. to a foreign person who is the university's bona fide and full time regular employee. The exemption is available only if:
1. the employee's permanent abode throughout the period of employment is in the United States;
2. the employee is not a national of a country to which exports are prohibited pursuant to ITAR § 126.1 (See current list of countries at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/documents/official_itar/ITAR_Part_126.pdf);
3. the university informs the individual in writing that the technical data may not be transferred to other foreign persons without the prior written approval of DDTC; and
4. the university documents the disclosure of technical data under the exemption providing: (1) a description of the technical data; (2) the name of the recipient/end-user; (3) the date and time of export; (4) the method of transmission (e.g., e-mail, fax, FedEx); and (5) the ITAR reference, i.e., ITAR § 125.4(b)(10), Full-Time University Employee.
Note that the "full-time bona fide employee" requirement will preclude foreign students and postdoctoral researchers from qualifying for access to technical data under this exemption. Generally, a H1B work visa would be required.
This exemption only applies to the transfer of technical data and discussions related to the data. Discussions may occur between the foreign full-time employee and other university employees working on the project. Additionally, the outside company (sponsor of the research) would have to apply for a DSP-5 license to provide technical data directly to the foreign national employee, and if the outside party and the employee are to engage in discussions and interchange concerning the data, then the proper authorization would be a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) rather than the DSP-5.