perry
04-16-2008, 04:00 PM
I was watching the NBC Nightly News and saw a clip of people singing Happy Birthday to You to The Pope.
Then I remembered that 'rumor' that Happy Birthday to You is protected by copyright, which is why you never hear it in restaurants any more. So I went over to Snopes to verify the rumor (http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/birthday.asp).
They say:
Royalties are due for public performance, defined by copyright law as performances which occur "at a place open to the public, or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered."
So, my question, of course, is do you think someone at The White House had to pay royalties to ASCAP or the Harry Fox Agency for performing Happy Birthday to You for the Pope?
(I just know that someone will come up with a serious explanation for me, which I'll appreciate, but my question is asked with my tongue firmly implanted in my cheek :wink: )
Then I remembered that 'rumor' that Happy Birthday to You is protected by copyright, which is why you never hear it in restaurants any more. So I went over to Snopes to verify the rumor (http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/birthday.asp).
They say:
Royalties are due for public performance, defined by copyright law as performances which occur "at a place open to the public, or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered."
So, my question, of course, is do you think someone at The White House had to pay royalties to ASCAP or the Harry Fox Agency for performing Happy Birthday to You for the Pope?
(I just know that someone will come up with a serious explanation for me, which I'll appreciate, but my question is asked with my tongue firmly implanted in my cheek :wink: )