Royalties on "Happy Birthday"?

Question

Do you know if anyone gets royalties off of popular songs like "Happy Birthday" or "Hooky Pooki"? Does everytime someone uses it in a commercial a payout to some relative of the desendant of the 'songwriter' of this folklore songs have to be paid out?

Answer 1

I know that Happy Birthday is a song that royalties must be paid on. That's why your chain restaurants always sing some other cheesy version, they don't want to have to pay or risk being sued.

Answer 2

the last I heard, the copyright of "happy birthday to you" song was still owned by a couple of women, and every radio station, TV, movie, etc. that has anyone singing it, have to pay a royalty.



dont know about hooky pooki....

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You