SC Explains When Shares Received After Company Amalgamation are Taxable as Business Income  ||  SC: Excavators, Dumpers Etc Used Within Factories aren’t Motor Vehicles For Road Tax Purposes  ||  SC: Complaints Alleging Fraud under Companies Act Can Be Filed Only By SFIO, Not By Private Parties  ||  SC: Preventive Detention Cannot Override Bail and Requires Proof of a Threat to Public Order  ||  Supreme Court: Multiple Complaints Are Valid For Dishonour of Several Cheques in One Transaction  ||  SC: Bail Should Not be Refused Mechanically Nor Granted Based on Irrelevant Considerations  ||  Gujarat HC: Motor Accident Compensation Doesn’t Cover Medical Expenses Paid by Charity  ||  HP High Court: Panchayati Raj Elections Cannot Be Postponed Beyond Five-Year Term  ||  Ker HC: Victim Cannot File Second Appeal Seeking Special Leave Against Acquittal Under S.419(4) BNSS  ||  Delhi HC: Right to Higher or Professional Education is Fundamental and Cannot be Curtailed Lightly    

Rupa Marya et al v. Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. et al - (22 Sep 2015)

Warner Music does not own rights to ‘Happy Birthday’ lyrics

MANU/USDC/0001/2015

Intellectual Property Rights

A United States District Court granted Plaintiffs’ motion that the Defendants did not receive copyright to the lyrics of the well-known song ‘Happy Birthday To You’. The Court held that the original authors of the song, Patty Hill, Mildred J. Hill and Jessica Hill, did not try to obtain federal copyright protection nor did they take action to prevent use of the lyrics by others, even in the song’s commercial success. It was only in 1934 that they asserted their rights to the melody contained in the song, but still not to the lyrics. The Defendants having failed to prove their ownership of the right to the lyrics of the song, only enjoyed copyright in the melody and piano arrangements in the song.

Tags : COPYRIGHT   SONG   HAPPY BIRTHDAY   LYRICS  

Share :        

Disclaimer | Copyright 2026 - All Rights Reserved