Unexplainable logic of applying metadata presets to multiple images

The short: Creating a virtual copy seems to remove the metadata preset that was applied on import. The problem is when I set out to fix this by applying that preset to a batch of images in grid mode, it fails to add the preset to those that don't have it. 

The long: Running LR Classic 12.0 on MacOS. I'm failing to understand the logic of applying metadata presets, as it doesn't seem to follow the same logic as applying other settings (ratings, colors, develop presets, etc.). 

For ex. I have an image that doesn't have a metadata preset, i.e., my copyright info. I click deselect then select all images in that colletion and apply the metadata preset to all. With all images selected the preset field shows the correct 2022 preset in the metadata pane with all pics selected. But when I only have that original image selected, the one missing the preset, it still have no preset.  This seems odd since typically when metadata between images selected doesn't match, it simply shows < mixed > but if this case it falsely shows the preset. 

This is a problem within a problem because 1. each time I create of virtual copy the metadata from import is mysteriously dropped and 2. when I set out to fix this by selecting all the images in the set and applying the preset, well it doesn't apply to the ones without the preset. And hunting down those that are missing it and individually applying it takes time.

Here's a screenrecord video demonstrating the problem: 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n4yylqr5jgawp3v/LR%20meta%20preset%20problem.mov?dl=0