These days, lawyers are getting ever more involved. Not necessarily for the better.

If the authors felt threatened, they would have gone to the university lawyer, who as a good lawyer would not have had the guts to tell them to take a stand. And would probably have told them that they were on their own. True or not, who knows.

If you were an author, would you take a chance at getting sued personally, with the university telling you that you are on your own?

Call that as a lack of will to defend... if you wish. But also, try putting yourself in their shoes.

Academic freedom is just not what it used to be. And at many places, neither is collegial governance. Unfortunately, it looks like crooks ans spin doctors are winning all the battles these days.