Researchers at the University of Utah identified two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, that are mutated in many families that have high incidences of breast and ovarian cancer. The University patented the use of this information for medical testing, and has licensed the patents to Myriad Genetics. The company has since attempted to prevent academic researchers that sequenced these genes in the course of their research from revealing the implications of the results to their patients.
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The comments section on the original Ars Technica post has some good stuff, including "the jaw-dropping evil" of corporations and strategies for overhaul of the patent system.
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