> On the other hand, they had some pretty incredible scientific talent on staff. You would think that people who are highly cited and have a reputation to protect would have spoke up sooner. Instead, the first two people to make any kind of sustained fuss were two fresh out of college hires.

Knowing how to work within the system is probably how they were afforded the chance to build this reputation int the first place. It's possible they were trying to do the same here but didn't realize the fundamental differences between the academic system and the commercial one.

Fresh college grads haven't yet learned how to "not make waves", which is a blessing and a curse.