'Happy Birthday' song becomes public domain, judge rules
After Warner/Chappell Music's ownership over the song for years, it's now public
Corrie Goldberg, Associate Producer
The world famous "Happy Birthday to You" jingle is officially available for public use. Â
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A judge approved the settlement on Monday, ending the ownership claim that the Warner/Chappell Music company had on the song for years.
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U.S. District Judge George King ordered that Warner/Chappell Music payback the money they have collected in royalties for the song. Â He ruled the the company didn't own the lyrics to the jingle so they therefore have no right to charge for the song's use. Â
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That's right, anytime someone wanted to use the jingle in a commercial enterprise, they had to pay the company a licensing fee. Â
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So just how much money had been made off one of the best-known, most beloved songs in the world? A cool $14 million.
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Now you can sing freely!
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