This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34332853
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
'Happy Birthday' ruled out of copyright | 'Happy Birthday' ruled out of copyright |
(35 minutes later) | |
The company collecting royalties to "Happy Birthday To You" does not hold a valid copyright to the song, a US federal judge has ruled. | The company collecting royalties to "Happy Birthday To You" does not hold a valid copyright to the song, a US federal judge has ruled. |
Warner/Chappell acquired the copyright - which was originally filed in 1935 - in 1988. | Warner/Chappell acquired the copyright - which was originally filed in 1935 - in 1988. |
But Judge George King ruled that the original copyright was only granted for specific arrangements of the music, not the song itself. | But Judge George King ruled that the original copyright was only granted for specific arrangements of the music, not the song itself. |
The tune was composed by two Kentucky sisters in 1893. | The tune was composed by two Kentucky sisters in 1893. |
Mildred and Patty Hill called their version Good Morning To All, which later evolved into the version popular at birthday parties around the world. | Mildred and Patty Hill called their version Good Morning To All, which later evolved into the version popular at birthday parties around the world. |
The case against Warner/Chappell was launched in 2013 by Rupa Marya and Robert Siegel, who are making a film about the song. | The case against Warner/Chappell was launched in 2013 by Rupa Marya and Robert Siegel, who are making a film about the song. |
The music publisher asked for $ 1,500 (£970) for the right to use "Happy Birthday To You" in the film. | The music publisher asked for $ 1,500 (£970) for the right to use "Happy Birthday To You" in the film. |
Ms Marya and Mr Siegel argued the song was in the public domain and should not be subject to copyright fees. | Ms Marya and Mr Siegel argued the song was in the public domain and should not be subject to copyright fees. |
Judge King ruled that Summy had never acquired copyright to the song's words. | Judge King ruled that Summy had never acquired copyright to the song's words. |
"The Hill sisters gave Summy Co the rights to the melody, and the rights to piano arrangements based on the melody, but never any rights to the lyrics," he said. | "The Hill sisters gave Summy Co the rights to the melody, and the rights to piano arrangements based on the melody, but never any rights to the lyrics," he said. |
The rights to the song were eventually purchased by Warner/Chappell for $25m (£16m) when they bought a successor company to Summy in the 1980s. | The rights to the song were eventually purchased by Warner/Chappell for $25m (£16m) when they bought a successor company to Summy in the 1980s. |
Warner/Chappell has made around $2m a year from royalty payments whenever the song is used in a film, television episode, advertisement or other public performance. | Warner/Chappell has made around $2m a year from royalty payments whenever the song is used in a film, television episode, advertisement or other public performance. |
"We are looking at the court's lengthy opinion and considering our options," Warner/Chappell said, after the ruling was announced. |