El COPYRIGHT del FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS (Y del PAYASO PLIN PLIN)

Summary

In this entertaining video, the creator dives into the fascinating and complex history of the 'Happy Birthday' song, revealing its origins and tumultuous copyright journey. From its creation by Patty and Mildred Hill in 1893 to its eventual public domain status in 2015, the song's legal battles are explored. The story also touches on a quirky twist involving the Argentine song 'Plin Plin the Clown,' showcasing how the melody of 'Happy Birthday' inspired a catchy children's song that faced its own copyright hurdles. The video is a fun and informative mix of history, humor, and unexpected connections.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Happy Birthday' song's origins are less straightforward than most people think.
• 😀 The song was originally created as 'Good-morning To All' by Patty and Mildred Hill, two kindergarten teachers in Kentucky, USA, in 1893.
• 😀 The song became 'Happy Birthday to You' after a change in the lyrics made by the Hill sisters for a student's birthday.
• 😀 The song gained popularity slowly, reaching a wider audience through musicals, radio, and movies.
• 😀 In 1934, Jessica Hill registered the copyright for 'Happy Birthday' after it was widely used without proper credit.
• 😀 The Hill sisters held the copyright for 28 years, which was extended until 2010 due to a complicated legal situation.
• 😀 In 1998, Warner Music bought the rights to the song for $15 million, and the song generated about $2 million per year in royalties.
• 😀 Warner Music attempted to enforce strict copyright laws, even suing people for publicly singing the song in certain situations.
• 😀 A class-action lawsuit and a lengthy legal battle led to the song being declared public domain in 2015.
• 😀 An Argentine woman, Diana Edith Monaco, unknowingly wrote a song with the same melody as 'Happy Birthday' that became widely popular in Argentina, called 'Plin Plin the Clown.'
• 😀 Diana struggled for years to register her song due to Warner holding the rights to the melody but was eventually able to do so after the rights to 'Happy Birthday' expired.

Q & A

What was the original purpose of the 'Happy Birthday' song?

The 'Happy Birthday' song was originally a children's greeting song called 'Good-morning To All,' created by Patty and Mildred Hill in 1893. Its purpose was for children to greet each other in the classroom.

How did the 'Happy Birthday' song evolve from 'Good-morning To All'?

The song evolved when Patty Hill suggested changing the lyrics for a student's birthday, turning it into 'Happy Birthday to You.' This change was made informally, and the song became widely used for birthdays.

Who was responsible for registering the copyright for the 'Happy Birthday' song, and why?

Jessica Hill, the third sister of the Hill family, registered the copyright for the song in 1934 because the song had become widely used, and no one was making money off of it despite its widespread popularity.

How did Warner Music become involved with the 'Happy Birthday' song?

In 1998, Warner Music bought the rights to the 'Happy Birthday' song for $15 million, leading to the song being under copyright and causing issues for anyone who publicly performed it.

What were the legal issues surrounding the 'Happy Birthday' song?

Warner Music tried to claim the song's rights, even after it had been in the public domain. They attempted to charge royalties for performances of the song, causing widespread legal issues, including lawsuits over public performances.

What was the outcome of the legal battle over the 'Happy Birthday' song?

In 2015, a judge ruled that the 'Happy Birthday' song was in the public domain, effectively ending Warner's claim to the song's copyright after years of legal disputes.

How did Diana Edith Monaco contribute to the cultural impact of the 'Happy Birthday' song?

Diana Edith Monaco, an Argentine woman, created a song called 'Plin Plin the Clown Pinched His Nose,' using the melody of 'Happy Birthday.' The song became popular among kindergarten teachers and spread across Argentina.

Why couldn't Diana Edith Monaco register her version of the song initially?

Diana couldn't register 'Plin Plin the Clown Pinched His Nose' because the melody was identical to 'Happy Birthday,' which was still under Warner's copyright at the time.

What allowed Diana to finally register 'Plin Plin the Clown Pinched His Nose'?

Diana was able to register her song once the copyright on the 'Happy Birthday' song expired, which happened when Warner lost the rights in 2015. After this, she could register her song with SADAIC, the Argentine Society of Authors and Music Composers.

How does the 'Happy Birthday' song hold a special place in history?

The 'Happy Birthday' song is recognized as the most popular song in history, even making it into the Guinness World Records. It has been sung countless times at birthday celebrations worldwide.