文字稿

歌曲“祝你生日快樂”中的歌詞版權被美國法官裁決無效。這意味公眾不再需要繳納版權費。這支人人會唱的歌曲是由來自美國的希爾兩姐妹（ Mildred and Patty Hill ）于 1893 年創作的。以下是 Anthony Birchley 的報道。

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.

詞匯表

recognised 被識別出的
royalties 版權費
documentary 紀錄片
brought the legal challenge （就版權問題向法庭）提出法律疑問
in the public domain 屬于公眾所有，不受版權保護
melody 歌曲
lyrics 歌詞

測驗

請聽報道并回答下列問題。

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.