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FBI Accused of MIT License Violation in Smart Contracts
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This issue started when a user on X, named 0xCygaar, claimed that the FBI had used OpenZeppelin’s libraries — a popular open-source code resource — without properly crediting the original license.
If these claims are true, it could lead to serious legal problems for the FBI. Let’s discover more details about the smart contracts from the FBI.
FBI Faces Legal Issues Over Smart Contract Code Use
On October 10, 0xCygaar pointed out that the FBI allegedly did not include the required MIT License notice in its smart contracts. The MIT License is important because it allows developers to share and modify code for free, but it requires that they give credit to the original creators. This means that if someone uses or changes the code significantly, they must include the original license information. OpenZeppelin’s libraries are commonly used to make secure smart contracts, especially on the Ethereum network.
When people looked at the FBI’s smart contract on Etherscan, they found it marked as “Unlicensed.” This discovery sparked a range of reactions from the community. Some were surprised, while others were upset. The consequences of this alleged mistake could be serious. Even though the MIT License is generally friendly to developers, it is still legally binding.
Hi @FBI, I noticed that your smart contracts are in direct violation of the MIT License, and thus are subject to copyright infringement.
You clearly copy pasted several of OpenZeppelin’s libraries (which use the MIT License), but don’t have a license on the code yourself.
The… pic.twitter.com/T4DkGnjshW
— cygaar (@0xCygaar) October 10, 2024
If OpenZeppelin decides to take action, they could send a cease-and-desist order to the FBI. This would require the FBI to either fix the problem or stop using the code altogether. However, taking legal action against the FBI could be tricky.
Due to sovereign immunity, a legal principle that protects government agencies from being sued without permission, it may be tough for OpenZeppelin to win in court.
You know you’ve set the standard when the @FBI uses your smart contract libraries. We welcome their contribution to crypto security, especially if used properly. https://t.co/ZsopFxjaZQ
— OpenZeppelin (@OpenZeppelin) October 10, 2024
While a lawsuit might not happen, the pressure from the public and government could lead the FBI to follow the rules for open-source licenses. After all, everyone needs to play by the rules, whether you’re a big government agency or a small developer.
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October 11, 2024 at 07:23AM
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