Also there is precedent for Nobel-level papers coming in within months of each other and still be considered for Nobel prize. See circadian rhythms with Michae

Also there is precedent for Nobel-level papers coming in within months of each other and still be considered for Nobel prize. See circadian rhythms with Michael Young and Michael Rosbash. They both got Nobel prizes, but one of the papers are several months after the other. In the gfp case the three winners also dis their work independently if I am not mistaken. The Siksnys case was discrimination against unknown institutes from unknown countries plain and simple.