Who wrote the “Happy Birthday” song?


By Andrew Hudson Published: June 29, 2013 Updated: November 26, 2013

By Andrew Hudson Published: June 29, 2013 Updated: November 26, 2013

It’s the most frequently sung song in the English language, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. But is the “Happy Birthday” copyrighted or in the public domain? We may find out, as a federal lawsuit has been filed in New York.

“Good Morning to You Productions, which is making a movie about the song’s history, is asking the court to declare the song in the public domain and force Warner/Chappell Music Inc. to return millions of dollars in licensing fees it has collected from thousands of companies and individuals who have publicly used or sung Happy Birthday.”
Andrew Wolfson, The (Louisville) Courier-Journal, USA Today

“It is shocking that someone claims to own it and others therefore have to pay a fee to use it. I hope to return it to the public where it rightfully belongs.”
Jennifer Nelson, president, Good Morning to You Productions

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Sources: USA Today. Image by Will Clayton/Flickr

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