Has anybody on this thread listened to Dylan's latest, Love and theft,he has a bit to say about the whole issue, albiet in a typically multi-layered way. Whole verses appear to have been lifted from the blues archives. High Water (for Charley Paton) refers to this in the title, but Paton doesn't get creditted for the lyrics. The predominate musical form is the 12 bar blues, but who would you credit with this. Dylan appears to be admitting both to stealing from what he loves, but indeed loving what it is he is stealing from. He is implying a similar accusation on his "fans" or "rivals" Dylan's reworkings have arguably always been written for an audience who actually know the originals, with no real attempt to hide it. (Bob takes the money thought) I'm sure he, in a way , he is sharing his love with the audience(Read the liner notes to World Gone Wrong if you dont believe me) If he could have copyrighted anything he would have been best served copyrighting his (unprotectable) vocal style, which has been subject to some of the most appalling copies imagining ps another cheeky "steal" is "Saved(by the Blood of the Lamb)" from another song entitled "saved"