At it's core, HL7 is basically a very, very horrible xml-like markup system (but with weird binary delimitation.) Is this the "IP" they're making free? If so, they can keep it.

HL7 is an organisation responsible for many different health IT standards such as CDA (clinical document architecture), RIM (conceptual model), VMR (virtual medical record) and others. 'HL7 messaging' is what you're thinking of.