"Happy Together" - Not! - The Turtles versus Sirius XM Radio

The Turtles (1967)

Pre-1972 music and its copyright status are back in the news!

The copyright holders of the Turtles' number 1 hit - Happy Together - filed suit against Sirius XM Radio over its use of pre-1972 music.  The suit was file in federal court and it was referred to New York State court, since the copyright of pre-192 music is covered by state law.  The New York Court of Appeals has agreed last week to hear this case. Below are a few articles where you can read the details of the case. Since this is being heard in state court, I will not only be interested in the ruling, but also in what precedents it sets.  Let's hope that the court hears the case soon.

Resources:

• Copyright Case of The Turtles' 1967 Hit Song "Happy Together" Goes to New York's Top Court (2016),
• The Turtles Bring $100 Million Copyright Fight to Satellite Radio (2016)
• The Turtles Lead Whopping $100 Million Class Action Against SiriusXM (2013)