'Happy Birthday'

[Flosshilde]

no longer copyrighted (except for four specific piano arrangements). Apparently it never should have been subject to copyright, & Warner are potentially faced with the task of re-paying the copyright fees (amounting to something like 2 million dollars a year) since at least 1980.

[Pabmusic]

no longer copyrighted (except for four specific piano arrangements). Apparently it never should have been subject to copyright, & Warner are potentially faced with the task of re-paying the copyright fees (amounting to something like 2 million dollars a year) since at least 1980.

Does this mean they lost the case against (?) Kentucky?

[cloughie]

no longer copyrighted (except for four specific piano arrangements). Apparently it never should have been subject to copyright, & Warner are potentially faced with the task of re-paying the copyright fees (amounting to something like 2 million dollars a year) since at least 1980.

Have I missed something here - what is this thread on about?

[VodkaDilc]

There was an item towards the end of the Today programme on R4. This issue seems to have rambled on for years. Apparently there is now no copyright on the words and music (as has been the case since 1988), but just on four specific piano arrangements. (After a legal challenge against Warner.)

[Pabmusic]

Have I missed something here - what is this thread on about?

It's a copyright action. Mildred Hill, primary school teacher in Kentucky, wrote this for her pupils in the 1890s:



She altered the words in the 1920s to fit birthday celebrations. Somehow it seems (or maybe not) to have become the property of Warner music (Hill died in 1946). Warners have charged copyright fees on it ever since. It was due to come out of copyright in Europe next year, but the copyright in the USA would have remained for...(centuries - I don't know). This case has resolved the issue.

[Flay]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34332853

[Flay]

Isn't it a boring tune? Almost as boring a God Save the Queen (and quite similar really)

[Pabmusic]

Isn't it a boring tune? Almost as boring a God Save the Queen (and quite similar really)

But just look at the original words!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The history of this song has always fascinated me. When I tell people that it's still in copyright until 2016, they don't believe me, assuming it's in the same category as London's Burning and Three Blind Mice.

Furthermore, the tune as is normally sung if only half of the melody, as there's a repeat with a 1st & 2nd time bar. I once arranged it for concert band. I like to think it was no longer boring in my version.

[Pabmusic]

It's such a relief really. Ever since April 1991 I've had sleepless nights about this:

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

You're not alone.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I like to think it was no longer boring in my version.

I'm sure not!

Nor is it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJAEepA0nPk

[Flay]

I'm sure not!

Nor is it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJAEepA0nPk

It seems that even Igor was worried about royalties!

http://www.barbwired.com/barbweb/programs/stravinsky_greeting.html

[cloughie]

Thanks for the clarification on the item. Just out of interest is there copyright on 'Why was he (she) born so beautiful?'

[jean]

What is the hymn that's normally sung to that tune? It's annoying me that I can't remember.