The Immigration Practitioner's Guide to U.S. Export Control Regulations: Introduction: General Exclusions to ITAR/EAR License Requirements
The license requirement for dissemination of information does not apply if it falls under one or more of the following exclusions:
Public Domain (ITAR, EAR)
http://www.pmdtc.org/docs/ITAR/2005/22cfr120_Part_120.pdf
[However, note that the U.S. government has nonetheless attempted to prosecute dissemination of control-list technology, even though the information was shown to have been available on the internet.]
15 CFR Ch. 7 § 734.3 (b)(3) http://www.access.gpo.gov/bis/ear/pdf/734.pdf
Education Exclusion (ITAR,EAR)
22 CFR Ch.1 § 120.10(a)(5) http://www.pmdtc.org/docs/ITAR/2005/22cfr120_Part_120.pdf
15 CFR Ch.7 § 734.9 http://www.access.gpo.gov/bis/ear/pdf/734.pdf
No license is required to share with foreign nationals “information concerning general scientific, mathematical or engineering principles commonly taught in universities or information in the public domain”
Fundamental Research Exclusion (ITAR, EAR)
22 CFR Ch.1 § 120.11(a)(8) http://www.pmdtc.org/docs/ITAR/2005/22cfr120_Part_120.pdf
15 CFR Ch. 7 § 734.8 http://www.access.gpo.gov/bis/ear/pdf/734.pdf
No license is required to disclose to foreign nationals information which is “published and which is generally accessible or available to the public [through, for example] fundamental research in science and engineering at universities where the resulting information is ordinarily published and shared broadly in the scientific community.”
Other expressed restrictions in ITAR/EAR, and other federal regulations, to providing services to foreign nationals.
ITAR and EAR prohibit assisting and training foreign nationals anywhere in the design, development, use, testing, etc. of controlled dual-use equipment without a license from Commerce or State. An example given is in the operation of microbial culture fermenters having a capacity of 20 liters or more.
Furthermore, the technology transfer need not be in the course of a direct commercial relationship. Technology or code is considered "released" for export when it is "available to foreign nationals for visual inspection (such as reading technical specifications, plans, blueprints, etc.); when technology is exchanged orally; or when technology is made available by practice or application under the guidance of persons with knowledge of the technology."
In addition, while there is a general license exception in the EAR 774, Note 2, for “General Software”, a prohibition remains in place for export to certain enumerated embargoed countries and for certain types of software. That Note, PDF, states: [also, see, Section 2B]
(“mass market” software) is available to all destinations, except countries in Country Group E:1 of Supplement No. 1 to part 740 of the EAR, for release of software that is generally available to the public by being:
a. Sold from stock at retail selling points, without restriction, by means of:
1. Over the counter transactions;
2. Mail order transactions;
3. Electronic transactions; or
4. Telephone call transactions; and
b. Designed for installation by the user without further substantial support by the supplier.
Note: The General Software Note does not apply to "software" controlled by Category 5 part 2 ("Information Security"). For "software" controlled by Category 5, part 2, see Supplement No. 1 to part 774, Category 5, part 2, Note 3 Cryptography
Note. Export Administration Regulations July 30, 2004
The reader should note here that the general exception for “mass market software” would seem to apply to “out of the box” type software products, not custom-developed applications, which in some circumstances would require an export license if they had military or dual-use application.