Using ArcCatalog 9.3.1 use the Metadata toolbar to export the metadata to XML, then use 10.0 to upgrade the XML with the Upgrade Metadata Model in ArcToolbox. Finally, use the Metdata Importer tool to associate the metadata with the geodatabase data.2010/08/30 Aleta: DO NOT use the above workaround -- it won't work. The problem occurs when the FGDC title, abstract, purpose, or dataset credit elements contain & or <. Exporting the metadata to an XML file and importing it again won't correct the problem. --Removing "&" symbol by editing metadata resolved the issue.