Unbeknownst to many, however, the rights to the song actually belong to Warner/Chappell Music Inc., the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, and the group maintains sole rights to the song’s reproduction, distribution, and public performances. A new lawsuit brought against the company seeks to change that and make the popular tune public domain.
Good Morning to You Productions Corp., a New York-based company that is making a documentary about the song, recently brought a lawsuit against Warner/Chappell Music, after being required to pay Warner/Chappell $1,500 for a license to use the song. Companies that fail to pay licensing fees and use the song without Warner/Chappell’s permission face penalties as high as $150,000. Reuters reports that the company has collected more than $2 million in licensing fees for use of the tune.
The 120-year-old song was originally entitled “Good Morning to All” by Mildred J. Hill and Patty Smith Hill. The initial lyrics read “Good morning to you / Good morning to you / Good morning dear children / Good morning to all,” but were eventually changed into the popular “Happy Birthday” tune known today.
While the exact details of the lawsuit have not been released, the plaintiff is suing for “millions of dollars of unlawful licensing fees”, the proceeds of which are to be distributed to thousands of individuals and companies that have been required to pay for the song, according to Reuters. The group said that the company cannot rightly hold the rights to the 1893 song under current entertainment law.
“More than 120 years after the melody to which the simple lyrics of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ is set was first published, defendant Warner/Chappell boldly, but wrongfully and unlawfully, insists that it owns the copyright to ‘Happy Birthday to You,'” the lawsuit said, Reuters reports.
Special purpose acquisition companies (better known as SPACs) appear to be making a comeback. SPAC offerings for 2025 have already nearly surpassed last year’s totals, with additional transactions in the pipeline. SPACs last experienced a boom between 2020–2021, with approximately 600 U.S. companies raising a record $163 billion in 2021. Notable companies that went public […]
Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses
Merging two companies is a complex legal and business transaction. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process that involves important corporate governance considerations. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process. However, […]
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress
The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Businesses Are Facing Financial Headwinds—A Practical Guide
*** The original article was featured on Bloomberg Tax, April 28, 2025 — As a tax attorney who spends much of my time helping people and companies who have large, unresolved issues with the IRS or one or more state tax departments, it often occurs to me that the best service that I can provide […]
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox
On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
