'Happy Birthday' Song Publisher To Pay $14M To Settle Copyright Challenge
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Now that the 'Happy Birthday' song is officially part of the public domain, people who paid copyright fees to sing it are probably going to get their money back.
The copyright challenge to what is probably one of the world's most popular songs was settled last year, when a federal judge ruled Warner/Chappell Music didn't own the lyrics. Furthermore, the publisher didn't have the right to charge for their use.
Unsealed court documents reveal the terms of the settlement. Warner/Chapell must give up any claim to the song, and return $14 million in licensing fees collected over the years
.
The 1893 song written by sisters Patty Smith Hill and Mildred J. Hill was originally titled "Good Morning to All." The lyrics 'happy birthday' came later. Warner/Chappell has collected as much as $2 million per year in royalties.
A group of filmmakers sued Warner/Chappell in 2013. Under the terms of the settlement, people who paid to use the song as far back as 1949 will
recoup some or all of their money.
A judge still has to approve the deal. A court date is set for March.
CBSSF.com writer, producer Jan Mabry is also executive producer and host of The Bronze Report. She lives in Northern California. Follow her on Twitter @janmabr.
