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Deemed Exports Texas A&M April 10, 2008 Alex Lopes Director, Deemed Exports and Electronics Division. Deemed Export Agenda. What are deemed exports? Key policy issues Licensing process Process Improvements Path Ahead. What are “Deemed Exports”.
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Deemed Exports Texas A&M April 10, 2008 Alex Lopes Director, Deemed Exports and Electronics Division
Deemed Export Agenda • What are deemed exports? • Key policy issues • Licensing process • Process Improvements • Path Ahead
What are “Deemed Exports” The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) define a deemed export as the release of technology or source code subject to the EAR to a foreign national in the United States. Part 734.2(b)(2)(ii). Such release is “deemed” to be an export to the home country of the foreign national. Situations that can involve release of U.S technology or software include: - Tours of laboratories - Foreign national employees involved in certain research, development, and manufacturing activities - Foreign students or scholars conducting research - Hosting of foreign scientist
“Deemed Export” Concerns • The deemed export program, in place since 1994, remains an important mechanism to prevent the diversion of sensitive dual use technologies to countries and end users of concern. • The deemed export program addresses two concerns: • The vital role of foreign nationals in U.S. industry and academia, contributing to the strength of our industrial base and our high-technology advantage, and ultimately our national security; • Foreign countries seek to illegally acquire controlled U.S. technology that could be diverted to the development of weapons programs.
The Threat • Dangers of illegal technology transfers are very real: ‑ WMD Proliferation ‑ Weapon Design/Manufacture ‑ Industrial Espionage • US economy damaged by illegal technology transfers
“Use” Subject to Licensing * Prod and Dev Patents Not on CCL Educational Published Not controlled Information arising or resulting from fundamental research Dual Use Technology The Universe of Dual Use Technology What Technologies are Controlled Today? Controlled 3 technology types: “Use” “Production” “Development” * With limited exceptions, EAR 99 technology is not subject to deemed export licensing
Deemed Export ECCNs 3B001 Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment (SME) Production or development software is controlled Designed for epitaxial growth capable of producing a silicon layer, thickness uniform to less than +/- 2.5%, across a distance of 200mm or more 3D001 SME Software The deemed export rule applies to technology and software source code 3E001 SME Technology Production or development technology is controlled
Deemed Export ECCNs 7B001 Test, calibration or alignment equipment specially designed for: Development or production software -Linear accelerometers used in certain inertial nav systems -Certain gyros and angular or rotational accelerometers -Certain inertial nav systems -Certain altimeters 7D001 Equipment Software 7E001/2/3/4 The deemed export rule applies to technology and software source code Technology Equipment development or production technology Repair, refurbishing, or overhaul technology
Recent Debate Over Deemed Export Policy • 2004: Commerce Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report • 2005-2006: BIS published three deemed export related Federal Register Notices: • Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (70FR15607) • Establishment of Advisory Committee and Clarification of Deemed Export-Related Regulatory Requirements (71FR29301 of 05/22/06) • Withdrawal of the Deemed Export Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (71FR30840 of 05/31/06) • 2006-2007: Deemed Export Advisory Committee deliberations • December 20, 2007: DEAC releases report. • Present day: BIS is reviewing ways to implement some of the DEAC’s recommendations.
Key Policy Issues • Citizenship of foreign nationals subject to the Deemed Export Rule and Country of Birth • Fundamental Research • Definition of “use” technology • Deemed Export Advisory Committee Report of December 20, 2007
Sequence of Analysis U.S. Citizens, Green Card Holders & Protected Immigrants Published Educational Information Patents Fundamental Research EAR 99 License Exceptions License
Foreign Nationals Not Subject to the Deemed Export Rule • Any foreign national is subject to the deemed export rule except: • A foreign national with U.S. citizenship; • A foreign national with permanent residence status (i.e., “Green Card” holders); • A foreign national granted status as a “protected individual” under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Protected individuals include political refugees and political asylum holders.
Reaffirmation of Foreign National Licensing Policy • Naturalized U.S. citizens, U.S. Legal Permanent Residents and U.S. Asylees and Refugees are protected individuals and are not subject to the deemed export rule. • Deemed export licensing policy for foreign nationals that are not protected individuals (i.e., third country nationals) is based on recently established legal permanent residence or citizenship. • For example: A foreign national born in Iran that has established citizenship or permanent residency in Canada would be treated for licensing purposes as a Canadian. • If an exporter is unable to determine a foreign national’s country of origin for deemed export licensing, the exporter should consult with BIS. • For deemed reexports to a foreign national of another country, licensing is also based on the foreign national’s recently established permanent residency or citizenship.
Country of Origin (Permanent Residency) Release of controlled technology to a foreign national of one country, say India, who has obtained permanent residency in another, say the U.K., is treated as if the technology transfer were being made to the U.K. and licensing requirements would be the same as for a British national in the U.K. If the former Indian national becomes a British citizen, transfers of technology would be viewed as transfers to the U.K.
Country of Origin (Dual Citizenship) As a general principle, a foreign national’s most recently obtained citizenship governs the licensing requirement. If an Indian foreign national becomes a citizen of the U.K. but retains Indian citizenship, the most recent citizenship is with the U.K. and releases of technology would be viewed as releases to the U.K.
Sequence of Analysis U.S. Citizens, Green Card Holders & Protected Immigrants Published Educational Information Patents Fundamental Research EAR 99 License Exceptions License
Scope of Fundamental Research • “Fundamental research is basic and applied research in science and engineering where the resulting information is ordinarily published and shared broadly within the scientific community.” (EAR Part 734.8) • "While the product of the fundamental research is not subject to the EAR because the results of that research are intended for publication and dissemination within the scientific community, authorization may be required if during the conduct of the research controlled technology is released to a foreign national.“(71FR30840 of 05/31/06)
Scope of Fundamental Research • Fundamental research technology is not subject to the EAR because: • the technology that rises during or results from the research is normally made public; and, • the technology necessary to conduct the research is normally obtained from public or published sources. • If preexisting technology necessary to conduct the research is export controlled; or, if a researcher makes a decision to control the technology that results from the research, then, deemed export licensing requirements must be considered.
Universe of Research Results of research published: (e.g., Fundamental Research) Publicly available technologies x x x x (Not Subject to the EAR) x x (Not Subject to the EAR) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Preexisting Export Controlled Technologies (Subject to the EAR) Results of research withheld from publication (Subject to the EAR) INPUT OUTPUT
Clarification of “Use” Technology Mere use of equipment is not a deemed export. Deemed exports occur only if technology subject to the EAR is transferred. • The regulatory definition of “use” is technology for “operation, installation (including on-site installation), maintenance (checking), repair, overhaul andrefurbishing.” • All six attributes of the definition must be present in order to qualify as “use” technology. • Otherwise the technology is likely EAR99. • This issue was the source of substantial controversy in 2004. Since BIS affirmed the conjunctive definition, this issue has subsided in importance.
Technology Subject to the EAR • General Technology Note • Supplement 1 to EAR Part 774 • The term “technology” as used in the EAR refers to specific information “required” for the “development,” “production,” or “use” of specific product (e.g. computer, fermenter, machine tool, etc.). • “Required” technology refers only to that portion of technology which is peculiarly responsible for achieving or exceeding controlled performance levels, characteristics or functions.
Sequence of Analysis U.S. Citizens, Green Card Holders & Protected Immigrants Published Educational Information Patents Fundamental Research EAR 99 License Exceptions License
Available License Exceptions for Deemed Exports • CIV: Civil End Use (EAR §740.5) • Applies to deemed exports for 3E002 technology. • Requires Foreign National Review (FNR) • TSR: Technology and Software Under Restriction: (EAR §740.6) • Applies to technology and software under national security only for country group “B” nationals. • Requires Letter of Assurance • APP: Applied Peak Performance (EAR §740.7) • Applies to deemed exports for 4D001/4E001 software and technology. (FNR Required)
Sequence of Analysis U.S. Citizens, Green Card Holders & Protected Immigrants Published Educational Information Patents Fundamental Research EAR 99 License Exceptions License
Is a License Required?Step 1: • Determine the technologies to be released. It is critical to classify the technology. • Is the technology publicly available? • Is the technology EAR99? • Is the technology described in an entry on the Commerce Control List? • If so, does a License Exception apply?
Is a License Required?Step 2: • Determine the home country of the foreign national. • Technology and home country of the foreign national determine licensing requirements.
The Deemed Export Application • Same as other technology exports plus • Detailed Letter of Explanation • Comprehensive Bio/Resume • Complete job description • Safeguards to restrict access to that approved (Technology Control Plan)
Deemed Export Evaluation Factors • Personal background, including visa status • Technology and purpose of the release • Applicant’s Technology Control Plan (TCP) • Projected outcome of employment (becoming U.S. citizen) • Permanent employee • Applications are easier to approve if they include details such as: • Any strong ties to the U.S. (e.g., family here) • No ties to home country (no bank account, immediate family, etc.) • Any special benefits or expertise the foreign national brings to the applicant (i.e., why the foreign national brings more to the company than he or she will take away)
Letter of Explanation • Identities of all parties to the transaction • Exact project location (where the technology or software will be used) • Type of technology and scope • Availability abroad of comparable foreign technology or software • Form in which the technology will be released and the uses for which the technology will be employed. • Applicant’s internal technology control plan
Foreign National’s Resumé • All educational institutions attended beyond high school, with street addresses and degrees and/or certificates received. • All positions held, with employers’ names and street addresses, and brief description of work done. • All time from high school graduation should be accounted for and presented in month/year format, with no gaps greater than 30 consecutive days. • Brief abstracts of all scientific and technical papers published, and presentations at scientific and technical conferences.
Helpful Information • Applications are easier to approve if they include details such as: • Any strong ties to the U.S. (e.g., family here) • No ties to home country (no bank account, immediate family, etc.) • Any special benefits or expertise the foreign national brings to the applicant (i.e., why the foreign national brings more to the company than he or she will take away)
Technology Control Plan (TCP) • TCPs are a standard condition found in deemed export and technology exports licenses • A TCP should contain the following essential elements: • Corporate commitment to export compliance • Physical security plan • Information security plan • Personnel screening procedures • Training and awareness program • Self evaluation program • TCPs are a good practice for all holders of export controlledtechnology
Process Improvements • The following process improvements have been in place since January 2004 • Deemed export license validity aligned with visa • Six month extension provided for licenses being renewed • Twenty day turnaround on upgrade license applications • Details on the BIS Website
The Path Ahead • Address DEAC recommendations • Ongoing Efforts • Creation of Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee • Intracompany License Exception Proposal • CCL Review • Expanded deemed export outreach • Notice of Inquiry regarding foreign national country of affiliation
Deemed Export Contacts Alexander Lopes Director, Deemed Exports and Electronics Division Ph: 202-482- 4875 E-mail: alopes@bis.doc.gov Ilona Shtrom Senior Export Policy Analyst Ph: 202-482-3235 E-mail: lshtrom@bis.doc.gov Kurt Franz Senior Export Policy Analyst Ph: 202-482-2278 E-mail: kfranz@bis.doc.gov Robert Juste Senior Electrical Engineer Ph: 202-482-8245 E-mail: rjuste@bis.doc.gov