[drjimmy]

Is that song not in public domain after ALL these years?

"Happy Birthday to You" was copyrighted in 1935 and will pass into the public domain in 2030. "Running on Empty" was written in 1977. Besides, using Jackson Browne's own recording of the song can't be done without permission even if the words and music themselves enter the public domain.

[doodad]

Thanks.

[Emmett McCarthy]

The current term of a copyright is for the life of the writer plus 50 years, I believe. I don’t know who owns or controls Jackson Browne’s copyrights, but it is entirely possible that this is a licensed use where the entity who does control that copyright granted it. It could be that Browne just personally doesn’t like it, but if he doesn’t control the copyright, I don’t think he can do much except complain. I’m sure he’ll still cash the check for his portion of the licensing fee, though.