Based upon my own experience (in another industry), I have no doubt that there were knowledgeable people internally who warned them of this -- if they were not

Based upon my own experience (in another industry), I have no doubt that there were knowledgeable people internally who warned them of this -- if they were not fully cowed by the bureaucracy. I have zero sympathy for the manufacturers. I only hope that, if they decide to go on a witch hunt, they actually seek and punish the morons in power who, most likely for self-serving purposes, let this slide. This also should raise a ringing cry to rein in DMCA et al. uses that seek to outlaw such research. In this case, the manufacturer has obviated their authority in the matter.