McGrath, what do they do with the guy with the bodhran?
Louie Roy, it bothers me too, that recordings from the 1920s-1930s can't join in that Great Public Domain because of this situation. Of course, the threats and claims may not be sustained in the US Supreme Court, but that could be years and dollars away.
In another thread, the sad case of "Waltzing Matilda" was discussed. The Australians at the Salt Lake Olympics paid royalties so that they could play the song (copyright holds, at least in the USA, for the version they sing) although the original was written about 1895.