"Happy Birthday" On It's Way to the Public Domain

Documentarian Wipes Out Warner’s $2M “Happy Birthday” Copyright

Judge finds it's questionable whether Patty Hill wrote the song at all

Joe Mullin | September 22, 2015

More than two years after a documentary filmmaker challenged the copyright to the simple lyrics of the song "Happy Birthday," a federal judge ruled Tuesday that the copyright is invalid.

From court records in Good Morning to You v. Warner/Chappell. Source: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/09/judge-warners-2m-happy-birthday-copyright-is-bogus/

The result could undo Warner/Chappell's lucrative licensing business around the song, once estimated to be $2 million per year. The company is likely to appeal the ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

<more at http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/09/judge-warners-2m-happy-birthday-copyright-is-bogus/; http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6707248/Rupa-Marya-happy-birthday-copyright-ruling (Plaintiff Who Challenged 'Happy Birthday' Copyright 'Screamed With Joy' at Ruling. September 24, 2015) and http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/07/filmmakers-fighting-happy-birthday-copyright-find-their-smoking-gun/ (Filmmakers fighting “Happy Birthday” copyright find their “smoking gun”. A 1927 kids' songbook proves "conclusively the song is in the public domain.". July 27, 2015)>