warner/chappel

“Happy Birthday” Song Settlement To Pay Out $14 Million To People Who Paid To Use Song

“Happy Birthday” Song Settlement To Pay Out $14 Million To People Who Paid To Use Song

Last year, a decades-old battle over the rights to one of the most famous songs in the world finally came to an end when a federal judge ruled that the “Happy Birthday” song is in the public domain, meaning that its publisher, Warner/Chappell, has been improperly charging hefty sums for its use. The terms of a settlement in the case show that Warner will now fork over up to $14 million to people who should not have had to pay to use the song. [More]

Today in Media: CDs to Avoid, Songs to Stream, Lyrics to Question

• Confused by the whole ‘Sony Rootkit’ debacle and don’t know which CDs might install malicious software that leaves your PC vulnerable to compromise? Sony BMG has a list of the 50 CDs with the MediaMax DRM, making it easy for you to avoid purchase. You’ll just have to get your ‘YoungBloodZ’ fix elsewhere.