I can't write about this topic without getting really angry, so I'm just going to post a few links. I'm sure there are plenty more stories, but that's enough to raise your blood pressure. Enjoy.
http://www.thepublicdomain.org/2009/...ne-by-lawyers/
http://www.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday
http://techdirt.com/articles/20091231/1105257562.shtml