The Big Copyright Surprise Behind 'Happy Birthday to You'

The "Happy Birthday" song is among the most recognizable and most performed pieces of music on the planet.

But ownership of the song’s lyrics and accompanying music is at the center of a hotly contested lawsuit, unfolding now in California between the company currently claiming ownership of the song, and documentary film makers and a musician who say they should be able to use it without paying user fees. Those ownership issues at the center of the case highlight critical questions for any small business that creates original content with potential commercial value.