Embargoed nations

This page addresses restrictions on embargoed nations, groups, and individuals as a result of US federal law. The legal risks and responsibilities of the Fedora Project are assumed by Red Hat, Inc. as our primary sponsor. Because Red Hat is a US-based commercial entity, it must abide by all laws and regulations of the US, along with its other responsibilities. Therefore, the Fedora Project is bound by these laws and regulations as well.

A list of current sanctions is maintained by the US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control.

Board position
The Fedora Board believes that among the Fedora Project's primary goals is to spread the principles of free thought, expression, software, culture, and their associated values to everyone. The ability to collaborate with individuals is a key requirement for propagating these principles. Without being able to work with people around the globe, our ability to spread these important values is unnaturally restricted.

The Board finds it unfortunate that these embargoes prevent a true open and free exchange of and participation in the community. It is difficult to reconcile the values of a community that uses, develops, and promotes free and open source software and content with these legal prohibitions, especially in light of Fedora's core values, especially Freedom.

The Board recognizes that significant portions of our community may be discontent with these embargoes. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility to ensure that the Fedora Project continues to serve the wider open source community as effectively as possible within the bounds of applicable law, including seeking ways to promote useful change.

Direct effects

 * Among other restrictions, US federal law controls the export of strong cryptographic materials, which are classified as a munition. Under these restrictions, the Fedora Project cannot export or provide Fedora software to any forbidden entity, including through the FreeMedia program.
 * The Fedora Project requires that our registered mirrors agree not to export or provide Fedora software to forbidden entities.
 * Citizens of Export-restricted countries may not be candidates (elected or appointed) for Fedora community organizations.