Developing Open Source Defense Projects

An anonymous reader writes "I'm a developer looking to develop an open source surface-to-air missile guidance system, with the aim of helping developing nations develop low-cost missile defense systems to aid them against attack by the warplanes of invading forces. However, given the very nature of the project, I feel I may be walking into a bit of a minefield regarding the legalities of such a project, since, as I'm sure you can imagine, this project could easily benefit hostile nations was well as relatively peaceful ones! Unfortunately, since Google does not seem to shed much light on the subject, I'd be very interested in hearing Slashdot's views on the matter, especially some advice from those in the know about the legal matters - whether there would be any restrictions (exports, perhaps?) or whether it would be simply plain illegal to develop!"

Comments

No, think of the horrible consequences!

[The I Shing]

You can't share the technology with other civilizations!

Imagine what will happen if the Terrans start building Protoss cannons that can strike ground and air targets, or the Zerg start equipping Zerglings with stimpacks! The results would... be...

Wait, was that just a computer game?

Re:No, think of the horrible consequences!

[_Sprocket_]

Wait, was that just a computer game?

Shut up and pay attention to what's happening on the screen, Ender.

My God. Think of the Beta Testers!

[jellomizer]

Well being April 1, I wont take this seriously.

Beta Testing your product will sure be a bitch, and it will be hard to keep good beta testers.

What's wrong with missile command?

[FortKnox]

Missile Command (Atari) works great and is dirt cheap now-a-days.

A solution

[Em Emalb]

The Open Source Hammer in the Sky protocol suite is what you are looking for. I use the OSHITS protocol to defend my small volcanic (it's not active, thankfully) island.
Oh, I also need to mention that OSHITS is GPL-compliant, so feel free to modify it in any way you'd like. It can be found at OSHITS.com*

The OSHITS protocol suite has also been through the legal ringer, in both the EU and the US.

In fact, the Supreme Court and the UN Tribunal Council both agreed, OSHITS is legal and quite good for use. Thanks and have a great day.

*web address doesn't render properly on IE. User must use an old version of Netscape.

Re:uhm..

[Flashbck]

I know this might sound silly, but here's a really simple answer for you:

LOOK AT THE DATE YOU BUMBLING FOOL

Par for the course

[cheezit]

This fits in just a little too well with some recent "Ask Slashdot" stories.

"I'm a moron. How can I be less of a moron? Should I not be a moron at all? Or should I be even more moronic?" (bitchslapping ensues, mostly by those too bored to restrain themselves)

Re:Not a bad thought

[zerochance]

Fool, haven't you ever listened to George Carlin? It's not about oil. It's about brown people. We just love blowing up brown people. Their having oil is just a bonus.

Re:Excellent Question

[pegr]

No, this is just the answer to that guy in New Zealand with the DIY cruise missle! Hey, you wouldn't be that guys neighbor, would you? I'm beginning to understand now...

All I know is that if I were a kid in his neighborhood, I wouldn't be walking on his grass...

I'm wondering what the code does...

[Scorchio]

...when the missile's about to strike :

while (1)
{
dist = GetDistToTarget();

if (dist > 1.0)
{
CheckTrajectoryAndMakeChanges();
}
else
{ // Too late for any more course changes
printf("And now, the end is near;\n");
printf("And so I face the final curtain.\n");
printf("My friend, I'll say it clear,\n");
printf("I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.\n");

printf("I've lived a life that's full.\n");
printf("I've traveled each and ev'ry highway;\n");
printf("And more, much more than this,\n");
printf("I did it my way");

while (1) { printf("y"); }
}
}

What if it's REAL

[Allen Zadr]

So, I'm thinking, wouldn't it be fun to open such a project on Source Forge? Then I thought - I'll bet somebody did. (yeah, go to the link, it's there).