‘Happy Birthday’ Joins Public Domain With $14M Settlement

Music publisher Warner/Chappell will pay $14 million to settle a lawsuit over royalties on “Happy Birthday to You,” allowing the song to enter the public domain. Warner had planned to hold the copyright until 2030, and to earn $14 to $16.5 million in that time, but in September U.S. District Judge George H. King concluded that Warner and its predecessor did not hold valid copyright on the song, and had never acquired the rights to the “Happy Birthday” lyrics. A trial over the song, dating back to its origins with 19^th century sisters Patty Smith Hill and Mildred Hill, was set to begin in December. By abandoning the trial, Warner dodges potential punishment for collecting licensing money on the song for decades.