Bureau of Industry and Security Announces $2.8 Million Civil Settlement with Computerlinks FZCO for Charges Related to Unlawful Exporting of Technology to Syria
Computerlinks FZCO of Dubai, United Arab Emirates was charged with three violations of the EAR – Export Administration Regulations regarding devices that monitor & control Internet to Syria. The company has agreed to pay $2.8 million civil penalty (statutory minimum). Plus the company has agreed to submit to third party audits.
BIS alleged that on three occasions in 2010 and 2011, Computerlinks FZCO engaged in transactions or took actions with the intent to evade the EAR in connection with the unlawful export and reexport to Syria of equipment and software obtained from Blue Coat Systems, Inc., of Sunnyvale, California (“Blue Coat”), designed for use in monitoring and controlling Internet traffic. The equipment and software are controlled due to national security and anti-terrorism reason, and as encryption items, and valued at approximately $1.4 million.
For more details about the case: BIS & Syria case
What does the Bureau Of Industry & Security (BIS) do:
BIS controls exports and reexports of dual-use commodities, technology, and software for reasons of national security, missile technology, nuclear non-proliferation, chemical and biological weapons non-proliferation, crime control, regional stability, foreign policy and anti-terrorism. Criminal penalties and administrative sanctions can be imposed for violations of the Export Administration Regulations. For more information, please visit beta-www.bis.doc.gov
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