Village Green Shopping Centre | Vernon's Premier Shopping Destination
Choice Made Simple!
Too many options?Click below to purchase an online gift card that can be used at participating retailers in Village Green Shopping Centre and continue your shopping IN CENTRE!Purchase Here
Coles Owning the Celebration: The Absurd History of the Happy Birthday Copyright and the Business of Song Ownership at Village Green Shopping Centre in Vernon, BC
*Product information may vary - to confirm product availability, pricing, shipping and return information please contact Coles
For decades, if a movie character blew out the candles on a cake, they were forced to sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" instead of the ubiquitous "Happy Birthday to You." The reason wasn't creative preference; it was fear of litigation. Until 2015, a major corporate entity claimed strict copyright ownership over the most recognized song in the English language, collecting millions of dollars in licensing fees every year. This is the story of one of the most absurd and lucrative intellectual property grabs in modern history. The song, originally composed as a simple kindergarten greeting in the late 19th century, was hijacked by corporate publishers who manipulated copyright timelines to create an artificial monopoly. They relentlessly pursued filmmakers, restaurants, and toy manufacturers, turning a communal folk tradition into a private, heavily guarded asset. This deeply engaging book unravels the complex legal and economic history behind the "Happy Birthday" lawsuit. It explores the dark side of music publishing, the systemic flaws in copyright law that favor massive corporations, and the meticulous historical research by a documentary filmmaker that finally forced the song into the public domain. Look behind the curtain of the music industry's most protected assets. Learn how copyright law can be weaponized to steal culture, and why the fight for the public domain is crucial to preserving our shared human history.
For decades, if a movie character blew out the candles on a cake, they were forced to sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" instead of the ubiquitous "Happy Birthday to You." The reason wasn't creative preference; it was fear of litigation. Until 2015, a major corporate entity claimed strict copyright ownership over the most recognized song in the English language, collecting millions of dollars in licensing fees every year. This is the story of one of the most absurd and lucrative intellectual property grabs in modern history. The song, originally composed as a simple kindergarten greeting in the late 19th century, was hijacked by corporate publishers who manipulated copyright timelines to create an artificial monopoly. They relentlessly pursued filmmakers, restaurants, and toy manufacturers, turning a communal folk tradition into a private, heavily guarded asset. This deeply engaging book unravels the complex legal and economic history behind the "Happy Birthday" lawsuit. It explores the dark side of music publishing, the systemic flaws in copyright law that favor massive corporations, and the meticulous historical research by a documentary filmmaker that finally forced the song into the public domain. Look behind the curtain of the music industry's most protected assets. Learn how copyright law can be weaponized to steal culture, and why the fight for the public domain is crucial to preserving our shared human history.
Find everything in-store including new, used and children’s books, music, movies, games and toys. Visit Coles today to find the perfect gift, or a novel for yourself. COVID-19 UPDATE: Open | Regular Centre Hours
