photo:getRawMetadata( "gpsAltitude") always returns a positive value

I noticed, both on Windows 7 and Apple OS X 10.9 that calling the photo:getRawMetadata( "gpsAltitude") always returns a positive value.

Also when Lightroom in the user interface displays a negative value.

The strange thing is that the photo:getFormattedMetadata( "gpsAltitude") returns the right value, however formatted.

I reported the bug, see Lightroom 5 SDK photo:getRawMetadata( "gpsAltitude") gives always positive value also when it should be negative

I thought to document it also here for those who walk into this also.