- Holding: Warner/Chappell, which has been collecting royalties and licensing fees for use of “Happy Birthday to You” for 80-some years, does not have copyright interest in the lyrics to the popular song.
- What’s Next: The plaintiffs will seek refunds for royalties paid and continue to seek make this a class action.
A Warner entity that has for decades been demanding royalties for use of “Happy Birthday to You” in movies and other situations does not own the copyright interest in the lyrics, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled Sept. 22 (Marya v. Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., C.D. Cal., 2:13-cv-04460-GHK-MRW, 9/22/15
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