We hear that song over and over, and as we get older, it becomes more and more annoying, or maybe it’s the getting older part that becomes annoying. Regardless, there’s a big brouhaha over the copyright, and considering it’s the most recognized song in the English language according to Guinness World Records, there is a lot at stake. As things stand, Warner/Chappell believes they hold a 95 year copyright that won’t expire until 2030. This represents a potential $30+ million in earnings, that is unless a co-lawsuit from a New York documentarian and a Los Angeles Indie Film maker have their way. The dispute boils down to the evaluation of “smoking gun” pieces of evidence found in Warner/Chappell’s archives that seems to indicate that the song wasn’t originally published by the company Warner/Chappell acquired the copyright from. If this is found to be true, the ditty will be set free into the public domain, potentially exposing Warner/Chappell to millions of people wanting their money back. What will happen? We have to wait and see.