Common copyright trap

Is Happy Birthday to You free to use?

The familiar song is generally treated as public domain in the United States. A particular recording or arrangement can still carry separate rights.

Reviewed 2026-09-11. Jurisdiction and edition matter.

Layered answer

Check each right separately

A 2016 federal court settlement ended the publisher's claim to the lyrics and placed the disputed song rights in the public domain.

A commercial recording has its own copyright term. Use your own performance or clear the recording separately.

Sources

Commercial use?

Verify the exact material and intended country with qualified counsel.