OK- here's a thought. Who wrote Happy Birthday- and when? I read somewhere that it is the most recognised and universally used tune in the world. Here in Oz we have a TV channel called "Special Broadcasting Services". It shows programmes from any and every nation- with sub titles. Regularly, even in programmes from 'Outer Mongovenitch' one hears HBTY! Who has a huge performing rights cheque due? Happy Birthday to someone!!
Cheers Keith in OZ
It was written by a couple of American sisters and published in (I think) the 1890s with the text, "Good morning to you," etc. So the melody and those words are public domain. The Happy Birthday text was published in the 1930s, and is still under copyright (assuming that it was properly renewed in its 28th year). Royalties are due to the estates of those sisters, whose names I've seen but can't for the life of me remember.
John
-- John & Susie Howell Virginia Tech Department of Music Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.A. 24061-0240 Vox (540) 231-8411 Fax (540) 231-5034 (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
