The copyright of “Happy Birthday to you”

The company collecting royalties for Happy Birthday To You does not hold a valid copyright to the song, a US federal judge has ruled.

Warner/Chappell acquired the copyright – which was originally filed in 1935 – in 1988.

But judge George King ruled that the original copyright was only granted for specific arrangements of the music, not the song itself.

The tune was composed by two Kentucky sisters in 1893.

Copyright Infringement: MTN Nigeria Set To Face A Lawsuit By Ijebu Afoke Dickson

A legal battle between an Abuja-based Isoko musician, Dovie Okson Omenuwoma, who claims that MTN has infringed on his copyright is set to commence. Arrangements have concluded by the Felix, Igelige, & Associates that allow them drag MTN Nigeria to court for infringing on their client’s copyright.

A statement issued on behalf of the Felix, Igelige, & Associate in Abuja, signed by Dr Ogaga Ifowodo, alleges that MTN Nigeria infringed on their client Dovie Omenuwoma’s copyright by turning four musical works belonging to him into MTN caller tunes and ringtones, and selling them, without his permission.

Shakira’s “Loca” copyright case

A case in which Shakira was accused of plagiarising another song has been thrown out after a judge said the claimant lied and the cassette tape on which his claims were based is a fake.

“[T]here was a basic issue of fraud in the trial,” said US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan, dismissing the copyright infringement case against Sony/ATV Latin and Sony/ATV Discos.

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In the News…NCC proposes digital piracy bill to ​N​ational ​A​ssembly

Premium Times Reports:

As part of it efforts to fight piracy, the Nigerian Copyright Commission has planned to propose a digital copyright piracy bill to the incoming 8th National Assembly.

The Commission also plans to join forces with internet service providers to identify sites being used for online copyright infringements and subsequently shut them down so as to bring the issue to a barest minimum.

The bill, called the Nigerian Copyright Act, will also imposes strict sanctions on offenders while aiming to give copyright owners what is rightfully theirs.

According to NCC’s Director General, Afam Ezekude, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, the commission has concluded plans to impose a two per cent copyright levy order on photocopying machines, DVDs, phones and other digital products made in the country or being imported before the end of May 2015.

He explained that a minimal levy would be imposed on digital products which can be used to infringe on peoples’ copyrights and the levy would also be a way of compensating copyright owners.