Original credit for Surfin' USA

[shelter]

I wouldn't really consider that a co-writing credit.

Me neither. He contributed information, not actual song lyrics, so I'd qualify that as 'research'. His contribution wasn't in any way artistic or creative. If someone would want to write a song about Holland and I would give him the names of ten Dutch cities, then I wouldn't say I co-wrote the song...

Another thing: was "Surfin' USA" intentionally/consciously a 're-writing' of "Sweet Little Sixteen", or was Brian really not aware of the resemblance when they recorded it?

[Andrew G. Doe]

It was intentional from the get go. Brian mentioned this in early interviews.

[shelter]

My point is if I wrote all of the songs Mike co-wrote as a Beach Boy then who cares if you made a suggestion about a Beatles song? I would much rather write The Warmth of the Sun than just make a suggestion towards a song.

Good point. The guy co-wrote almost 30 hit songs for the Beach Boys, why bother going on about that one album track by the Beatles?

[XY]

It was intentional from the get go. Brian mentioned this in early interviews.

but tried to prove the opposite in later interviews.   

[Dancing Bear]

My point is if I wrote all of the songs Mike co-wrote as a Beach Boy then who cares if you made a suggestion about a Beatles song? I would much rather write The Warmth of the Sun than just make a suggestion towards a song.

Good point. The guy co-wrote almost 30 hit songs for the Beach Boys, why bother going on about that one album track by the Beatles?

Don't worry about that, he'll be sure to mention that he co-wrote TWotS as well. 

It's a nice little story, that's all.

[Andrew G. Doe]

It was intentional from the get go. Brian mentioned this in early interviews.

but tried to prove the opposite in later interviews.   

True - which is why I tend to place more credence to the earlier ones.

[Alf64]

My brother has the original 45 single as released in 63. The only name under the song tittle is "Brian Wilson" Knowing Brian's lack of a huge ego, I am sure it was at the insistance of Murray Wilson. Who seemed then to be dictating orders.

[Ebb and Flow]

Since in early 1963 the group was still more of a local phenomenon than an international sensation, maybe they just weren't thinking of things like copyright infringement yet.