Legal ramifications for designs. 1

[rich masters]

I am a former military technologist and a retired engineer. I want to design a proof of concept of a technology that might not be in everyone's best interest to be public. Is there any authority or channel I can go through to avoid legal problems?

 

[Sparweb]

That's not a lot to go on, so a lot of speculation is going to come into the answers. My speculation will be that it's some kind of invention of your own as a private individual, since you just said that you're not a member of a security-oriented organization any more.

Let's assume you've got a way to program flying drones to (a) swarm and (b) collectively target a point in space 20cm across and (c) collide at full speed with whatever object is in that space. On youtube there are some sci-fi videos of this kind of invention being used for assassinations. Also on youtube are real-world demonstrations of this exact same drone swarm technology, used for colorful night-time displays. So the sci-fi violence is at most 5 years away from happening, and may have already. Once it is widely known that drone swarms have been used to kill, I expect Microsoft will quietly stop those fancy drone swarm displays because they'll (a) realize that half the audience will be frightened and (b) realize they may not have enough security in their display drones.

Back to you. Once you prove your concept, and another human being sees it operate, there will be copies of it around the world in a few years. You will have your version, they will have theirs. So I guess the main authority to guide you ethically is how well you expect to sleep in that world.

 

[rich masters]

it is far more dangerous.

 

[3DDave]

DARPA is the usual buyer of such things.

 

[Ng2020]

Presumably that's your real name, you've also revealed your background, we can see where you're posting from, and you mention have some valuable new military technology.
In today's world that doesn't seem like a very bright thing to do in a public forum.

 

[rb1957]

I'd approach a military contractor (Northrop Grumman, Rockwell) since I'm guessing you don't have the wherewithal to make this concept ? Use NDA to protect your idea.

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[drawoh]

rich masters,

Have you talked to a lawyer?

If you are privy to official secrets, you need to talk to the people who revealed those secrets to you, and get permission. If they say "NO", your question is answered.

If you are working at home on official secrets, how good is your home security, and the security of your computer and your backups?

--
JHG

 

[rb1957]

take out a patent on your idea and see what happens next ...

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[WKTaylor]

If it flies, then either the DoD, DARPA or FAA MUST sanction Your R&D flights.

IF there is any destructive capacity then these flights MUST be sanctioned, coordinated and confined to special test ranges.

There is no God-given right to fly any vehicle within USA airspace without authorization... with only the tiny exception for light weight models that are fun, but harmless.

Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o We believe to be true what we prefer to be true. [Unknown]
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation,Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", Homebuiltairplanes.com forum]

 

[CWB1]

Why would this be different than any other product? So long as you’re not using others’ IP or classified info, and protecting public safety during testing there’s nothing to be legally concerned with.

 

[BrianPetersen]

If you're doing something that shouldn't be done, maybe you shouldn't do it.

 

[WKTaylor]

CWB1... USA Aviation regulations are considerably different from state/local land/waterway governance, simply because the airspace overhead is regulated by FEDERAL authorities... otherwise chaos would engulf all forms of aviation... especially across state lines. Aviation/airmanship, in all forms, is a governed/earned NATIONAL privilege.

The US Constitution never made mention of aviation/space/etc... but the very nature of the document allow for creation of governance and order for 'the unforeseeable' in the future of the country... so progress could occur.

"A mile of highway will take you a mile: a mile of runway will take you anywhere." ~Steve, Blogger from Ohio

"Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.” ~Captain A. G. Lamplugh, 1930s

Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o We believe to be true what we prefer to be true. [Unknown]
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation,Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", Homebuiltairplanes.com forum]

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Folks, unless something has been edited out, the OP has not once mentioned flying objects...

Rich, we kinda need more to go on to provide proper advice. Several of us are "in the know" when it comes to the type of work you speak of, but you'll have to give us more than what you have to be useful...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[WKTaylor]

MG2... Hmmmmm...

"... the OP has not once mentioned flying objects..." OK, then why would the OP submit this issue in 'Aeronautics and Space' general forum? Are there multiple posts of this issue I'm unaware of?

Laws of land and sea are somewhat different than aviation and space flight... and embedded systems that span/affect Sea-Land-Air... such as directed-energy or interfering weapons, LASERS, optics [passive, ISR stuff], etc... would be governed by much different ordinances/protocols...

Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o We believe to be true what we prefer to be true. [Unknown]
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation,Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", Homebuiltairplanes.com forum]

 

[MacGyverS2000]

LOL, my bad... I didn't notice the forum (thought it was in the EE forums).

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[IRstuff]

As a "former military technologist" you should already be already be aware of ITAR and EAR restrictions. Other laws relate to ATF jurisdiction, which include firearms and explosives.

Legal obligations really only exist once you USE, or MISUSE, whatever you build.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

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[rb1957]

I'm sure there'd be some "legal ramification" if you posted instructions for building a bomb or some such ...

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[IRstuff]

Actually, I don't think there is; the "Anarchists' Cookbook(?)" has been in publication for a long time and is for sale on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=anarchis...hist,stripbooks,136&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_9

oThe Iraqis and Afghanis seemingly had no difficulty making explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) literally in garages, so information is readily available. That said; I'm sure that if you piss off someone in authority, that ready availability won't stop them from perosecuting you

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[CWB1]

OK, then why would the OP submit this issue in 'Aeronautics and Space' general forum?

There are many things on air and spacecraft which don't fly by themselves, nvm the myriad of ground support equipment.

If the OP is only doing design work then they just need to avoid using others' IP and anything classified (assuming their retirement doesnt entail an active security clearance - unlikely). Beyond that is simply protecting public safety, give the regulators enough money and follow whatever procedures/paperwork they require and you'd be surprised what testing will be permitted. Former missile guidance guy btw, no need for the cloak and dagger nonsense unless you're trying to scare kids or impress girls.