Feb. 09--Warner Music Group and others who fought to hold the copyright on "Happy Birthday to You" have given up their claims to the popular song, according to the terms of a proposed settlement deal that signals the end of a contentious three-year dispute.
The proposed deal, which was disclosed Monday in court filings, offers up to $14 million for those who paid licensing fees to use the song.
The lawyers who battled Warner Music and its publishing arm, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., could also see a windfall. In court papers, attorneys said they planned to ask a federal judge for about $4.6 million to cover their legal costs.
The settlement is tentative pending approval by U.S. District Judge George H. King.
