Hey Fidjit ~ recognizing the sources/antecedents of those early Dylan songs does not make me any less a fan of his.

Many folksingers, including thousands of the nameless forgotten ones who have preserved our various traditions over the centuries, have adapted and reworked songs older than themselves. In many cases (we'll never know which ones or how many of 'em), the new version probably took hold and the old version disappeared. Of course, this is all before copyrights, publishing, and other financial factors became involved.

Bob's "rip-offs" were a very natural way for him to get started as a songwriter. Nobody ~ himself included ~ could have known the unprecendented riches that were just around the corner for him. His good fortune has to be seen as the result of good luck and good timing, in combination with a very unique talent ~ he didn't get undeservedly rich just because he claimed credit for a few old folk melodies.

But hey, a lot of this discussion comes down to a simple matter of personal taste, and if you don't like Bob's stuff, that's OK with me.