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Home BUSINESS

FBI Faces Accusations of Violating MIT License in Smart Contracts

Michael Juanico by Michael Juanico
October 10, 2024
in BUSINESS, CRYPTO, POLITICS
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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• The FBI has been accused of violating the MIT License by using OpenZeppelin’s libraries in smart contracts without proper attribution
• If confirmed, this omission could constitute a breach of copyright law as the MIT License requires including the original license for substantial code use or modification
• The likely resolution is for the FBI to amend the smart contract to include the required license notice to ensure compliance and prevent legal or public relations complications

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been criticized for allegedly violating the terms of the MIT License in its smart contracts.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 FBI accused of violating the terms of the MIT License by using OpenZeppelin’s open-source code without proper attribution in its smart contracts pic.twitter.com/WFn5nH0iLV

— BlockNews.com (@blocknewsdotcom) October 10, 2024

Allegations of License Breach

The allegation centers on the FBI’s alleged failure to include the MIT License notice when utilizing OpenZeppelin libraries, which are widely used to create secure smart contracts.

The MIT License governs its use of blockchain technology, particularly within the Ethereum ecosystem. It allows for distribution, modification and free use provided the original licensing terms are maintained.

A public examination of the FBI smart contract on Etherscan reveals that the code is labeled “Unlicensed”, sparking mixed community reactions.

Legal and Reputational Implications

The implications of the alleged violation could be significant because the MIT License, while generally considered developer-friendly, is legally binding.

If OpenZeppelin chooses, it could pursue legal action by sending a cease-and-desist order requiring the FBI to either correct the violation or discontinue its use of the code.

However, any formal lawsuit against the FBI would face challenges due to sovereign immunity, a legal doctrine that generally protects US federal agencies from being sued without their consent.

While a lawsuit is unlikely, public and governmental pressure could push the FBI to comply with open-source licensing requirements.

The Likely Resolution

Given the circumstances and legal implications, the most likely resolution is for the FBI to amend the smart contract to include the required license notice.

This amendment would ensure compliance with the MIT License and likely diminish or prevent further legal or public relations complications.

It remains unclear whether the agency will make a public statement or quietly resolve the matter behind the scenes as speculations grow in the community.

Disclaimer: BlockNews provides independent reporting on crypto, blockchain, and digital finance. All content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers should do their own research before making investment decisions. Some articles may use AI tools to assist in drafting, but every piece is reviewed and edited by our editorial team of experienced crypto writers and analysts before publication.
Tags: FBIMIT LicenseOpenZeppelinSmart Contracts
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Michael Juanico

Michael Juanico

Michael is a BSBA Management graduate from Mindanao State University and has been a professional content writer since 2019. He began exploring cryptocurrency in 2021 and has since made blockchain and digital assets his primary focus. For nearly four years, Michael has contributed research and editorial content at Aiur Labs and BlockNews, producing clear and accessible coverage of market trends, trading strategies, and project developments. He is transparent about his personal holdings in Bitcoin, TRON, and select meme tokens, combining writing expertise with hands-on market experience to deliver trustworthy insights to readers.

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