Warner settled happy birthday copyright suit for 14 million

Warner settled ‘Happy Birthday’ copyright suit for $14 million

Image Source: Primedia Broadcasting

Warner/Chappell Music, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, settled a long-standing copyright dispute over the famous song ‘Happy Birthday’ for a whopping $14 million. The settlement was reached in 2015 and put an end to years of legal battles over the ownership rights of the iconic tune.

The history of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song dates back to the late 19th century when two sisters, Mildred J. Hill and Patty Smith Hill, composed a melody for a song called “Good Morning to All.” The song was initially used in kindergarten classrooms to greet children at the start of the day. Over time, the lyrics we now associate with ‘Happy Birthday’ emerged, and it became a widely embraced birthday anthem across the globe.

Image Source: Rolling Stone

For decades, the ownership of the ‘Happy Birthday’ copyright was in dispute. In 1935, the song’s copyright was assigned to a company called Birch Tree Group, which later merged with Warner/Chappell Music. This led Warner/Chappell Music to claim exclusive ownership of the song and subsequently charge substantial licensing fees for its public performance.

However, in 2013, a lawsuit challenging the copyright claim was filed by Good Morning to You Productions Corp, a documentary film company. They argued that the copyright was invalid because the song had long been in the public domain. The lawsuit gained significant attention, sparking widespread debates over the legitimacy of copyright claims on such a well-known and frequently used song.

After years of legal wrangling, the settlement finally granted a victory to the plaintiffs, leading Warner/Chappell Music to relinquish their rights and admit that the ‘Happy Birthday’ song belongs to the public domain. The $14 million settlement compensated those who had previously paid licensing fees to Warner/Chappell Music for the song’s commercial use and performance.

The resolution of the ‘Happy Birthday’ copyright case was not only a significant legal milestone but also a triumph for individuals and organizations advocating for the broader accessibility and freedom of cultural works. By firmly establishing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song as a part of the public domain, it ensures that the cherished anthem can be sung, performed, and shared by millions without financial hindrance or legal restrictions.

In conclusion, the settlement of the ‘Happy Birthday’ copyright suit for $14 million marked a turning point in the long-standing dispute over the ownership rights of this beloved song. It reinforced the importance of the public domain and celebrated the accessibility and universality of cultural treasures like the ‘Happy Birthday’ song.