Happy Birthday and Other Public Domain Songs

In my copyright class, I have enjoyed talking about the sond "Happy Birthday" because it had been something that people didn't realize was still covered by copyright.  But now it has been set free and the narrative in my class will have to change!

What happened?  In short, a lawsuit that took more than two years. This is good news for businesses that have avoided using it.  Now they can sing it, play it, and have no fear (and make no payments).

More about this at:

• All the 'Happy Birthday' song copyright claims are invalid, federal judge rules, Sept. 22, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-happy-birthday-song-lawsuit-decision-20150922-story.html
• ‘Happy Birthday’ Copyright Case Reaches a Settlement, Dec. 9, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/10/business/media/happy-birthday-copyright-case-reaches-a-settlement.html
• 'Happy Birthday' Copyright Suit Settled, Dec. 10, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/happy-birthday-copyright-suit-settled-n477671

And for fun, here are James Corden and Josh Groban singing songs that are in the public domain. It's 7 minutes long and worth listening through the end.