June 14, 2013

Happy Birthday Class Action

Good Morning To You Productions Corp. v. Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., No. 1:13-cv-4040 (S.D.N.Y. filed June 13, 2013).

Plaintiff brings a class action on behalf of licensees of the song "Happy Birthday to You" (from June 13, 2009-present), seeking a declaratory judgment that defendant does not have the right to collect licensing fees for use of the song, "Happy Birthday To You."  Plaintiff claims that the song is in the public domain and dedicated to public use.

BMI Brings Petition For Pandora Blanket License

Broadcast Music, Inc. v. Pandora Media, Inc., No, 1:13-cv-4037 (S.D.N.Y. filed June 13, 2013).

BMI seeks a determination of license fees/terms for a blanket license covering all BMI musical compositions performed on the streaming service Pandora.