The FBI is caught in a potential coding controversy, accused of breaking the rules of open-source software. Could this lead to legal trouble?
The FBI is under fire for allegedly breaking the rules of open-source coding. On October 10, an X user named 0xCygaar, who claims to be part of AbstractChain, called out the agency for using OpenZeppelin’s libraries—an open-source tool crucial for smart contract development—without the required license attribution.
If true, this could spell legal trouble, as the MIT License clearly demands that any significant use or modification of its code must include the original license.
The user who made the claim reported that they had already alerted the authorities to take action against the FBI. The accusation revolves around the FBI’s supposed failure to include the necessary MIT License notice when using OpenZeppelin’s libraries.
These libraries are fundamental in creating secure smart contracts, especially within the Ethereum network.
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A look at the FBI’s smart contract on Etherscan reveals the code marked as “Unlicensed,” causing mixed reactions across the blockchain community. The MIT License allows free use, modification, and distribution of code, but it insists that the original terms remain intact.
The legal stakes are high. If OpenZeppelin chooses to act, it could issue a cease-and-desist order demanding the FBI either correct the breach or stop using the code altogether.
However, taking legal action against the FBI would be an uphill battle due to sovereign immunity, a principle protecting federal agencies from lawsuits unless they consent to be sued. While a courtroom showdown seems unlikely, the FBI could still face public and governmental pressure to follow open-source regulations.
The most probable outcome?
The FBI might quietly update its smart contract to comply with the MIT License, avoiding any further legal or reputational fallout.
It remains to be seen whether the agency will address the issue publicly or make a low-profile correction as the blockchain community watches closely.
