Help support TMP


"‘Happy Birthday’ Copyright Case Reaches a Settlement" Topic


2 Posts

All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.

Remember that you can Stifle members so that you don't have to read their posts.

For more information, see the TMP FAQ.


Back to The Law Plus Board


Areas of Interest

General

Featured Hobby News Article


Featured Link


Featured Workbench Article

One 3D Model, Many Bases?

Personal logo Editor in Chief Bill The Editor of TMP Fezian wonders why create different 3D models, if you can create one that can be customized?


Featured Profile Article

Sourcing Cheap Wooden Bases

Where to get inexpensive wooden bases for terrain?


1,357 hits since 9 Dec 2015
©1994-2025 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

Personal logo Nashville Supporting Member of TMP09 Dec 2015 4:09 p.m. PST

After more than two years of litigation, "Happy Birthday to You" — often called the most popular song in the world, but one that has long been under copyright — is one step closer to joining the public domain.

In September, a federal judge ruled that Warner Music, the song's publisher, did not have a valid copyright claim to "Happy Birthday," which has been estimated to collect $2 USD million a year in royalties. But what that ruling meant for the future of the song — and Warner's liability — was unclear, and a trial had been set to begin next week.

In a filing on Tuesday in United States District Court in Los Angeles, the parties in the case said they had agreed to a settlement to end the case. The terms of that deal are confidential. But if the settlement is approved by the court, the song is expected to formally enter the public domain, meaning that it will not be covered by copyright and can be performed freely.

goragrad09 Dec 2015 8:00 p.m. PST

Mark Steyn had a piece on the song back in September the day after that first ruling. Gave the impression that was the nd of the matter.

Interesting history, shows what having lawyers and deep pockets can do in defending a questionable legal question -

link

Sorry - only verified members can post on the forums.