Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Judge Rules "Happy Birthday" Song Copyright Is Not Valid

Thomas Lange holds a birthday cake for young dolphins on Aug. 31, 2012, in Duisburg, Germany.

Roland Weihrauch / AFP / Getty Images


A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that a music company's copyright claim on the song "Happy Birthday to You" is not valid, putting millions in reported annual revenue in jeopardy.

The ruling came as part of a lawsuit, originally flied in 2013, that had sought to declare the song as being in the public domain.

Warner/Chappell Music has claimed a copyright on the song since the early part of the 20th Century. However, a judge on Tuesday ruled that the company only holds a copyright on specific arrangements of the song, the Los Angeles Times reported.

This is a developing story. Check back later and follow @BuzzFeedNews on Twitter for updates.



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