its not Geldof who decides that his song is a folksong. its the folks down the pub who sing it -and prs don'tpolice public performances of composed music - they say they do - but they don't. otherwise i'd be a millionaire. i've been a full member/writer of prs for 40 years, just as long as my most requested song - not my 'hit'.
the most requested and most played in pubs has never earned a penny.

its the people who decide - the folk, every time.

similarly PinkFloyd were never consulted when the children of Soweto used Another Brick in the Wall as their cri de couer, as they protested against the education system that turned into 2nd class citizens.
and by the way Geldof's song was written long before Columbine