Impact of Export Administration Regulations on Technology Transfer

The U.S. Department of Commerce administers the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) that monitor the transmission of technical data outside of the United States. International exchanges of technical data have always occurred to foster technological advancement of new ideas. However, the business sector's interests in facilitating such exchanges can be overruled by national economic and security restrictions. Industrial leaders are constantly expressing their frustrations that the regulations are hindering their ability to participate in the international marketplace. However, the federal government has a responsibility to protect the country's resources, and especially its emerging technologies. Herein the controversy arises, and the solutions seem to be distant.