You Can Sing ‘Happy Birthday’ Without Fear Of Paying Fee

Phew! I was getting tired of whispering the song at parties so I wouldn't get fined. 

A music publisher has been ordered to pay back $14 million in fees related to the song 'Happy Birthday'.

According to court documents, Warner/Chappelle music does not own the lyrics to the tune and thus had no legal right to charge for their use.

A lawsuit was filed in 2013 by a group of filmmakers who said the song should be in the public domain.

The deal still must be approved by a judge.

In the meantime, I'd still be wary of singing the song too loudly in public. But I suppose you could always pass along any bill to the birthday person.