they are the most popular lyrics in the
world but up until now singing happy
birthday could have cost you a $1500
licensing fee and to avoid paying up
some people on TV and in the movies
have had to be a little inventive when
singing happy birthday
but now a happy birthday gift from
federal judge George King he ruled on
Tuesday that happy birthday is part of
the public domain the decision comes in
a lawsuit filed two years ago bye good
morning to you Productions which is
producing a documentary tentatively
titled
happy birthday they sued Warner Chappell
who claimed ownership to the song and
was seeking the licensing fee so how did
this wind up in court let's go back way
back to the 19th century that's when the
song was written by Sisters Mildred and
Patty Hill they originally wrote the
famous melody to the lyrics good morning
to all and they licensed the music
rights to a company that was eventually
acquired by Warner and that's the rub
the judge wrote that while ownership the
melody has changed hands the origin of
the happy birthday lyrics is unclear and
as a result Warner Chappell did not own
a valid copyright so the next time
you're celebrating sing loud the song is
free as for singing lessons well that's
another story