Should "Happy Birthday" be Protected by Copyright? | PBS Idea Channel
Contributed By
PBS Learning Media
Should "Happy Birthday" be Protected by Copyright? | PBS Idea Channel
You know how chain restaurants always sing some weird unknown birthday tune, instead of the actual Happy Birthday song we know and love? It's because "Happy Birthday To You" is protected by copyright! They are legally not allowed to sing it in public, and neither are you. Unfortunately, the whole system has gotten out of whack with copyright extensions that extend far beyond the life of the creator.