#413 Unclear description of technical effects of Export Control checkbox, and bad url

[BenRayfield]

All projects, at least from a USA internet connection, have an Export Control checkbox in project Metadata.

The legal purpose of the checkbox is explained, but not the technical effects.

This checkbox motivates me to not use crypto in opensource software since I dont know what effects it would have on where my software can be downloaded or if USA government would claim they own it and never allow derivative works to leave USA, depending on their continued licensing. I expect other people are similarly confused and scared of this checkbox which hurts the development of opensource crypto and uses of existing crypto.

I want its description updated to say something like either of these:

• Checking this box prevents downloads from certain countries. (and if so, a link to the details or in what cases downloads are prevented)
• Checking this box only tells USA government about this project and does not limit downloads.

Also I'd like some approximate statistics on the longterm effects of clicking that checkbox to be included in the description: Does checking this box cause, after some time, governments to call sourceforge and command the downloads to stop to other countries, even if the downloads are not limited right away? Or anything like that? I think many of us would benefit from a more clear explanation of the effects of the Export Control checkbox.

The checkbox says:
Export Control: Why?
This project incorporates, accesses, calls upon or otherwise uses encryption software with a symmetric key length greater than 64 bits ("encryption"). This review does not include products that use encryption for authentication only.

The Why link says:
The purpose of this section is to determine whether your project is subject to the provisions of the US Export Administration Regulations. You should consult section 734.4 and Supplement 2 to Part 734 for information on such items and the calculation of U.S. controlled content. http://www.bis.doc.gov/encryption/default.htm

This url gives an empty page: http://www.bis.doc.gov/encryption/default.htm

[John Barrett]

Greetings,
This seems more like a feature request than a support issue. I'll move this over to the feature request tickets.
Thanks
SourceForge Support

[John Barrett]

Ticket moved from /p/forge/site-support/10355/

Can't be converted:

• _page:
• _related: