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HOLLYWOOD – Singer-Songwriter Paul Anka will receive royalties every time “Happy Birthday” is sung, under a deal struck last night by Anka’s attorneys and ASCAP and BMI.
The deal averted a lawsuit that stemmed from an incident last week in a Florida family-style restaurant. Anka was dining at the Orlando Golden Corral when he overheard a family singing “Happy Birthday” in celebration of a 7-year-old girl’s birthday.
It turns out Anka wrote the song in 1983 under a different title, “The One I left Behind,” as a disco hit for The Bee Gees. Anka walked over to the table and interrupted the song: ”You have a major, major problem on your hands,” Anka told the girl, “and I am going to sue you if they start singing again.” The girl’s family immediately realized their legal exposure and contacted ASCAP and BMI.
Under the terms of the settlement, Anka will get 73.15 cents every time the song is sung anywhere in the world and stands to earn billions of dollars each year.
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