Judge Rules 'Happy Birthday' Is In Public Domain

Published September 23, 2015 at 12:23 PM EDT

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A judge ruled Tuesday that the "Happy Birthday" song is, in fact, in the public domain. (Will Clayton/Flickr)

A judge in California ruled on Tuesday that the “Happy Birthday” song is not owned by a record label and is in the public domain.

The record label, Warner/Chappell Music, has been collecting an estimated $2 million a year in royalties since they bought the rights to the song back in the ’80s.

You may have been flaunting the law by singing it at parties without paying, but Here & Now hasn’t had the chance to play it on air — until now.

Happy birthday, everyone!