Via WeaselZippers, it turns out that someone involved in building the HealthCare.gov site stole code. One of the routines for formatting data was released by the creator under a GPL license. Its legal to use the code anywhere for any reason IF YOU LEAVE THE COPYRIGHT NOTICE INTACT. Someone used it in HealthCare.gov and removed the copyright. Not only is the code the same, they even left in comments made by the creator. This is literally a crime. It appears to me that the Obama administration has a potential way out of an embarrassing situation with the failed roll out. He can say he held tough against the Republicans, then announce that the Attorney General is investigating this copyright violation, the site is being checked for further violations, and that the roll out is being delayed while an investigation happens. This would allow a face saving way to stop the failed roll out, take the system offline, make a copy for investigators, then get busy fixing the broken system.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 19:42:49 +0000
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