Mick, my question was not intended as a red herring. I do not perform or record music as a profession. When I perform others material (non-profit)I always try to acknowledge the author as I would hope that others do with material of mine.
I relate to the songwriter and not the publishing and recording companies. Often it is the songwriter that is being ripped off. Many high profile performers have demanded co-writer status before they will record a song even though they had no input in it beyond picking the key to sing it in. This was done , and probably still is with full industry support because it is dollar driven. Now if I were to download such a song who would be the greater thief ?
                           Sandy