Re Folkways I assumed that you were speaking of it in terms of material used in UK folk clubs; Woody Guthrie, New Lost City Ramblers etc. I am fully aware of the scope of Moe's recordings but I don't think any of his rain forest type recordings were available, or in demand in the UK legally or otherwise.

"I think copyrighting arrangements was largely an American thing, though I know MacColl publicly criticised Luke Kelly for the Thee Dubliers attempts at it."
DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE HAD DONE IT HIMSELF!?

I am well aware of the Old 97 too. Norm Cohen gives a full account of it and all the claims, counterclaims and appeals in his book Long Steel Rail.