In 2000, Immune Response Corporation (IRC) sponsored a clinical study to look at whether a drug they had developed could prolong AIDS-free survival of HIV-infected individuals. The study, conducted by researchers at UCSF, concluded that the drug provided no benefit to trial participants. As part of the agreement between IRC and UCSF, the company had the right to review and approve all publications resulting from the funded research. IRC wanted to conduct a new trial with a different research team. When the UCSF researchers tried to publish their findings against the company's wishes, they were sued.

Now, consider the following question:

What are the ethical obligations of the researchers, the University, the journal, and IRC in this case? Does it matter that the drug in question, while not beneficial, was also not harmful to patients?