According to a court filing on Monday, music publisher Warner/Chappell will pay $14 million to end a lawsuit challenging its hold on the English language’s most popular song, “Happy Birthday to You.” Additionally, the settlement stipulates a proposed final judgment and order that would declare the song to be in the public domain. A memorandum in support of the settlement sings the praises of the deal as “truly, an historic result.” U.S. District Judge George H. King will have to sign off on it.
via Warner Music Pays $14 Million to End ‘Happy Birthday’ Copyright Lawsuit – Hollywood Reporter.
But for now, the settlement provides a big final act to the class action lawsuit brought by film director Jennifer Nelson, who was making a documentary about “Happy Birthday” and was asked to pay a $1,500 license fee.