US judge approves ‘Happy Birthday’ settlement
A US judge has approved a settlement agreement centring on “Happy Birthday to You”, meaning the song can enter the public domain.
Judge George King approved the $14 million agreement at the US District Court for the Central District of California.
According to Canadian broadcaster CBC, King approved a settlement agreement on Monday, June 27, despite the fact the agreement was originally scheduled to be approved in March this year.
The case stemmed from a 2013 class action lawsuit filed by film production company Good Morning to You Productions against music publisher Warner/Chappell.
In the case, Good Morning to You claimed that the music company was not the owner of the copyright to the song and had unfairly collected royalties.
Warner/Chappell previously charged the film company $1,500 to use the song in a documentary it was making.
In September last year, Warner/Chappell lost its rights to the song after the California court ruled that another music publisher Clayton F Summy Company did not transfer the rights to the lyrics as part of a deal agreed in 1998.
As a result, the court said the song should enter the public domain and both parties agreed to settle the lawsuit.
The song was originally composed in 1893 under the name “Good Morning to All."
Already registered?
Login to your account
If you don't have a login or your access has expired, you will need to purchase a subscription to gain access to this article, including all our online content.
For more information on individual annual subscriptions for full paid access and corporate subscription options please contact us.
To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk