The majority of conferences attended by the Princeton community are intended for the open dissemination of research. This means that information shared during those conferences is in the public domain and therefore not subject to export controls. However, there are still several export control concerns that should be considered when hosting or attending conferences.

Interacting with Non-U.S. Persons

Please be aware of the following when interacting with non-U.S. persons.

Sharing Information

Information that has been made available to the public through dissemination during an open conference, meeting, seminar, trade show, or exhibition is excluded from export control regulations under the public domain exclusion. However, attendees should not share information that was not generated by the researcher during the course of a fundamental research project, including confidential information shared by the sponsor of a research project. 

Sanctioned Countries

Attending conferences in sanctioned countries may require a United States government license since the government considers this to be ‘providing a service’ in the sanctioned country.

Defense Services

Furnishing assistance (including training) to foreign persons, whether in the United States or abroad, in the design, modification, operation, or use of defense articles is a defense service. A defense service can include providing assistance through the use of public domain information. For example, providing the Turkish Ministry of National Defense with assistance on improving the fuel efficiency of battle tanks would be a defense service, even if the assistance was provided exclusively through the use of public domain information.

Hosting Non-U.S. Persons

When hosting a conference, Princeton personnel should consider the following:

Sharing Information

Research results generated during the course of a fundamental research project may be shared freely.  However, other types of information may be subject to export controls and should not be shared:

• Information that is subject to approval by the sponsor of a research project (and therefore does not qualify as fundamental research)
• Confidential information provided to Princeton by the sponsor of a research project
• Export-controlled technology related to items or equipment

Restricted Parties

Individuals designated as a restricted party may be prohibited from participating in a conference, depending upon the reason for debarment.

Sanctions

Sanctions regulations may prohibit sharing certain information unless that information is in the public domain.