Figure 1. The ICMJE “triple lock” formula is a tool for industry.

If final sign-off is ceded to the academic “author”, industry is disqualified from authorship even if it is responsible for most of the study and manuscript development. Manuscript writers are also disbarred even if they have sign-off, unless they were involved in other aspects of the study. These features give industry the opportunity to conceal its originating role behind the names of academic collaborators. Industry also carries out further originating activities not catered for in the ICMJE formula (shown in brackets). The percentage contributions shown here are for illustrative purposes only, and in reality vary widely.