I don't think the HFA/NMPA understand Mudcat and folkies in general. They're unaware of the concern most of us have for the history of a song. Often someone will ask for lyrics in this forum, and wind up with not only the lyrics, but information on who wrote it, a short biography of the author, links to their web page, a pointer to their recordings and song books, and information on who to contact should the enquirer wish to record the song.

A. Publisher - copyright and copyright law is discussed quite frequently here. You wrote "Prior to this there was simply no reason any of you needed to understand it..." I disagree. There are, unlike (I'd suspect) quite a few other forums, loads of musicians here. There are also publishers, DJs, songwriters, and other music professionals from various countries, who probably aren't very kindly disposed to HFA/NMPA at the moment. There's absolutely no excuse for going straight to acrimony without any attempt at reason first. It's as if someone you've just met punches you in the face instead of offering their hand.

Is it in HFA/NMPA's best interest to do business this way, with this particular group of people? For me, the damage is already done, and I don't really want anything to do with them or the people associated with them. The reputation they're developing is one of a large, ham-handed corporation out to sue the blazes out of the little guy, not one of defending people's rights. I don't like the way they do business.