Singing Happy Birthday In Public Is Illegal
Singing Happy birthday in public places or in front of audience who is not your family member and friends can lead you in jail for copyright violations.
Yes you read it right
The most popular English song ever ( as declared by Guinness book of records ) is actually property of warner Chappell music company who bought the rights to the song for $25 million in the year 1988 when it was valued at $5 million.
So legally speaking if you are celebrating a birthday of your loved ones and if you are singing the most obvious happy birthday song ie “ happy birthday to you “ then you have to pay royalty to the warner/Chappell music company. The 1935 copyright registration LAWS empower Warner to legally have the copyright till the end of year 2030.
So next time when you sing this song you know you are breaking the law.
