Question: who owns the copyright to the happy birthday song

title: Happy Birthday to You
text: None of the early appearances of the `` Happy Birthday to You '' lyrics included credits or copyright notices . The Summy Company registered a copyright in 1935 , crediting authors Preston Ware Orem and Mrs. R. R. Forman . In 1988 , Warner / Chappell Music purchased the company owning the copyright for US $ 25 million , with the value of `` Happy Birthday '' estimated at US $ 5 million . Based on the 1935 copyright registration , Warner claimed that the United States copyright will not expire until 2030 , and that unauthorized public performances of the song are illegal unless royalties are paid to Warner . In one specific instance in February 2010 , these royalties were said to amount to US $ 700 . By one estimate , the song is the highest - earning single song in history , with estimated earnings since its creation of US $ 50 million . In the European Union , the copyright for the song expired on January 1 , 2017 . 

Answer: answer: The Summy Company registered a copyright in 1935, crediting authors Preston Ware Orem and Mrs. R. R. Forman.
 In 1988, Warner/Chappell Music purchased the company owning the copyright for US $ 25 million.  Warner claimed that the United States copyright will not expire until 2030, however, in the European Union, the copyright for the song expired on January 1, 2017.