The "Happy Birthday" jingle is without a doubt one of the most recognizable songs throughout the planet. As a matter of fact, it is sang by almost everyone who knows the lyrics of the song. But despite knowing the number of times the song is sung, a pressing issue is stopping people from legally owning a copy. A recent decision by Warner Music however shows good news as the binding fee could soon end, which means the jingle will be legally free to use by anyone who wants to use it.
Warner Music Group, together with Warner/Chappell Music (its subsidiary), have announced that they no longer will pursue their claim to the 123-year-old song. In addition to this announcement reported on Los Angeles Times, they will also be offering as much as $14 million to individuals who paid licensing fees for the song. Once the settlement deal will be approved by US District Judge George King in California, the three-year class action lawsuit against the popular song will end. This will also put the much loved jingle under public domain. Although unconfirmed, the settlement will either fully or partially pay back the people who paid money to be able to use the "Happy Birthday" song. And the list of those who are set to receive compensation go as far back as 1949.
The bad news, however, is that once the legal battle ends, it could also cost Warner Music to settle $4.6 million for the plaintiffs lawyers. At the same time, there are some filmmakers and other individuals involved in the case who are seeking to be paid an extra $10,000 to $15,000.
The publication reports that the entertainment group has been able to earn royalties from the song of up to $2 million annually after having started charging for the jingle since 1988. This was when Warner Music purchased the publisher that the copyright of the song belonged to.
By agreeing to settle, the entertainment giant gets to avoid going through a trial to determine whether or not they are punishable for their decision of collecting fees on a song for more than 25 years. The company is said to have collected over $50 million in licensing fees alone.
