Still singing “Happy Birthday” when you wash your hands? Yeah, about that…
Early on in the pandemic, we were told that we needed to wash our hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. To keep track of time, we’re
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When Something in the “Public Domain” Isn’t
Turns out, “Happy Birthday” might not be the only iconic song that belongs to the public. When a song or any other work is said to be in the public
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Random Music News for Saturday, August 20, 2016
Sorry world, but Canada will be closed starting at 8:30 tonight. Meanwhile, here’s where you can find all the NON-Tragically Hip music news of the day. Metallica will release their
Read MoreRandom Music News for Wednesday, July 13, 2016
It was on this day in 1985 that the original Live Aid was staged. And now, some current music news. Hey! Do NOT go rogue and mess with “O Canada,”
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Blow Out the Candles on the Happy Birthday Lawsuit. You May Now Sing It Royalty-Free
It’s settled: The staff at restaurants can now sing “Happy Birthday” without having to pay for it. Late Monday, a judge in California approved a settlement to not only put
Read MoreRandom Music News for Monday, June 20, 2016
It’s the first day of summer–and we’re in the vicinity of a full moon. Some say this is a recipe for DOOM. Me? I’ll sit this one out. And now,
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“Happy Birthday” Is Now Finally and Officially in the Public Domain
In what had to be the weird musical copyright case ever, “Happy Birthday”–a song written in the late 1800s–has finally been declared public domain. That means (a) anyone can perform
Read MoreIt’s Finally Official: “Happy Birthday” Will Be in the Public Domain
If you’ve been following the strange saga of “Happy Birthday,” you’ll know that it’s been a bizarre tug-of-war involving music publisher Warner-Chappell and the rules governing the move of once-copyrighted
Read MoreRemember How “Happy Birthday” Was Declared Free? Not So Fast.
You may remember a story from last month about a court decision that finally declared “Happy Birthday to You” to be in the public domain. (The back story can be
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An Ancient Manuscript of “Happy Birthday” Has Been Discovered. This is Important.
The saga of “Happy Birthday” is the weirdest tale in all of music publishing. How can a song that was written 125 years still not be in the public domain?
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The “Happy Birthday” Lawsuit: Sh*t’s Gettin’ Real
More than a hundred years ago, a couple of sister schoolteachers, Patty Smith Hill and Mildred Hill, wrote a birthday wishes song based on a traditional melody entitled “Good Morning
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