文字稿

歌曲“祝你生日快乐”中的歌词版权被美国法官裁决无效。这意味公众不再需要缴纳版权费。这支人人会唱的歌曲是由来自美国的希尔两姐妹（ Mildred and Patty Hill ）于 1893 年创作的。以下是 Anthony Birchley 的报道。

Happy Birthday To You is the most recognised song in the English language. The melody was composed by two sisters in Kentucky in 1893. Their song evolved into Happy Birthday and was first copyrighted by the Summy Company in 1935. Warner/Chappell bought the rights in 1988 and has been receiving around $2m in royalties a year ever since.

Two filmmakers planning a documentary about the song brought the legal challenge when Warner/Chappell demanded a fee for its use. They argued as the song was in the public domain, it shouldn't be subject to fees. A judge has now ruled that the Summy Company only ever acquired copyright to the melody, and not the lyrics, and as such, Warner/Chappell don't own the rights.

词汇表

recognised 被识别出的
royalties 版权费
documentary 纪录片
brought the legal challenge （就版权问题向法庭）提出法律疑问
in the public domain 属于公众所有，不受版权保护
melody 歌曲
lyrics 歌词

测验

请听报道并回答下列问题。

1. Who created the famous song heard at birthday parties all over the world?

2. According to the report, who got $2m a year from the song?

3. True or false? The documentary makers sued the company which wanted money from them for the use of the song.

4. Which two parts of a song are mentioned in the article?

答案

1. Who created the famous song heard at birthday parties all over the world?
Two sisters - Mildred and Patty Hill - from Kentucky, US.

2. According to the report, who got $2m a year from the song?
Warner/Chappell.

3. True or false? The documentary makers sued the company which wanted money from them for the use of the song.
True. Filmmakers brought a legal challenge when Warner/Chappell demanded money to allow them to use the song.

4. Which two parts of a song are mentioned in the article?
Melody and lyrics.