"Happy Birthday" Hits Sour Notes When It Comes To Song's Free Use

vivaoporto writes: NPR reports that "Happy Birthday to You", one of the most recognized songs in the English language, is the subject of a class action complaint over the validity of its copyright. The publisher Warner/Chappell Music owns the copyright to the "Happy Birthday" song and anyone who wants to use the song must pay a licensing fee. How did Warner/Chappell get the rights? "This is where it gets complicated," says Jennifer Nelson. She is working on a documentary about the song and paid for the rights to use it. Now she's suing Warner/Chappell to get her money back, arguing it's part of the public domain. "I think it's going to set a precedent for this song and other songs that may be claimed to be under copyright, which aren't," says Newman. The Courthouse News Service have more information about the pending suit.

Comments

Re:A better solution

[hawguy]

Admittedly, I can be daft... so forgive me and please enlighten me...

EXPENSES:
>> Pay songwriter to compose
>> Record
>> Send postcards

INCOME:
>> it's free

BUSINESS MODEL:
>> Profit!

I'm confused how INCOME - EXPENSES = "PROFIT!" ?!?

Well sure, you might lose a little money on each one, but you can make it up in VOLUME!

Re:The obvious test case for ludicrous copyright

[sconeu]

See, it's attitudes like this that hurt artists...

I mean, if we don't keep extending copyright, how can we encourage Elvis to keep singing new music?

P2P Killed Elvis!!!!