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Author Topic: Another example of a big media company claiming copyright to something they don'  (Read 3765 times)

Jerry Witt (mcfilms)

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Another example of a big media company claiming copyright to something they don'
« on: July 28, 2014, 11:14:30 AM »
You have probably noticed that restraunts no longer sing "Happy Birthday to you". Here's why:

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130613/11165823451/filmmaker-finally-aims-to-get-court-to-admit-that-happy-birthday-is-public-domain.shtml

Hopefully this will soon change.
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Although I may be a super-genius, I am not a lawyer. So take my scribblings for what they are worth and get a real lawyer for real legal advice. But if you want media and design advice, please visit Motion City at http://motioncity.com.

Oscar Michelen

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Re: Another example of a big media company claiming copyright to something they don'
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2014, 06:33:22 PM »
Chain restaurants have always avoided using Happy Birthday to stay clear of any issue which is why they create those goofy versions of their own. Here's a blog post I wrote about this subject last July:
http://www.courtroomstrategy.com/2013/06/lawsuit-may-push-happy-birthday-into-public-domain/
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Jerry Witt (mcfilms)

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Re: Another example of a big media company claiming copyright to something they don'
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2014, 09:38:56 PM »
I realize now that although I just came across it on Tech Dirt, it is actually Old News.

I wonder where the case is at right now? Will the filmmaker get to make their film?
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Although I may be a super-genius, I am not a lawyer. So take my scribblings for what they are worth and get a real lawyer for real legal advice. But if you want media and design advice, please visit Motion City at http://motioncity.com.
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