The Ultimate Trivia Thread

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Luffy

In 1988, Warner Communications paid $28,000,000 for the rights to the song "Happy Birthday To You". It was composed in 1924 by two women, but Irving Berlin first included the words to the music in 1933. Officially, if you sing it in a public place, you owe Warner Communications money. It was also the first song to be sung in space, by the Apollo 9 crew. The song was originally a song to be sung in class, referred to as "Good Morning To All".

That's not quite accurate. The tune was composed in the late 1800s, and first published in 1893 to the words "Good Morning to All".

The first published version with the words "Happy Birthday to You" was published in 1912, and subsequently in other books in 1918, 1924 and 1933.

Despite this, copyright was claimed from a publication in 1935, and so far upheld (but see below).

In the EU, the copyright will expire on 1st January 2017.
In the US the copyright will expire on 1st January 2031.

That is, it will expire if it isn't already invalid in the US. There's an ongoing court case to show that in the US the song is already in the public domain. It might even finish before the end of the copyright in the EU, who knows? It's been going since mid 2013.

(Copyright is a bit of a hobby horse. Sorry.)

[Luffy]

Okay at first I didn't know which of these versions is the real one but I trust you. I'll post more trivia later.

[trichobezoar]

Amaranth... "This tiny 'grain'--actually a seed--has a rich history dating back 8,000 years, when it was first cultivated in Mesoamerica. The ancient Aztecs relied on amaranth as a food staple and used it in religious rituals, earning it the names 'super grain of the Aztecs' and 'golden grain of the gods.' In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors attempted to outlaw amaranth in an effort to convert and control the Aztecs. [Fortunately] their efforts proved unsuccessful due to amaranth’s amazing ability to grow quickly and thrive in less-than-ideal soil, making it nearly impossible to extinguish."

I'm eating amaranth right now!

[Luffy]

During a news bulletin on Good Friday in 1930, there was no news, so the presenter played some music for a period of 10 minutes. Apart from football matches, the only main thing going on was a rebellion in Chittagong, India, but that didn't happen until after the news had finished.

[crich70]

In the old days when important news was going to be passed on via radio it was customary to have a brief piano interlude. That's one reason why the 'news' of the Martian invasion was so alarming to listeners on Sunday October 30, 1938. They made it sound so like a real news story.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by Luffy

In 1988, Warner Communications paid $28,000,000 for the rights to the song "Happy Birthday To You". It was composed in 1924 by two women, but Irving Berlin first included the words to the music in 1933. Officially, if you sing it in a public place, you owe Warner Communications money. It was also the first song to be sung in space, by the Apollo 9 crew. The song was originally a song to be sung in class, referred to as "Good Morning To All".

Whether or not these details are 100% accurate, what I find staggering is why Warner would pay such a vast sum for the rights? The only place we hear the song in our daily lives, generally, is at a birthday party, and I'd like to see Warner try to claim royalties on that!???


OJ Simpson was originally cast to play the title role in Terminator, but James Cameron was afraid that no one would accept him as a remorseless killer...

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by orlok

Whether or not these details are 100% accurate, what I find staggering is why Warner would pay such a vast sum for the rights? The only place we hear the song in our daily lives, generally, is at a birthday party, and I'd like to see Warner try to claim royalties on that!???

The $25 million was for the company that owned the rights. It was for more than just that one song, although that was probably its major asset.

The royalties are said to be around $2 million per year (from film and TV mostly, I think.). That's quite a good return on the investment.

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by orlok

Whether or not these details are 100% accurate, what I find staggering is why Warner would pay such a vast sum for the rights? The only place we hear the song in our daily lives, generally, is at a birthday party, and I'd like to see Warner try to claim royalties on that!??

Well I, for one, make a point of always asking birthday party hosts if they're paying their royalties. If they don't I drop Time Warner a note. I'm very popular at birthday parties.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

Well I, for one, make a point of always asking birthday party hosts if they're paying their royalties. If they don't I drop Time Warner a note. I'm very popular at birthday parties.

For Time Warner executives?

[Luffy]

Richard Gere's middle name is Tiffany.

[trichobezoar]

A little more about amaranth--the golden grain of the gods:

"Amaranth is a gluten-free food and a source of complete protein—it contains all the essential amino acids, including lysine, which is lacking in most grains. High in fiber and a good source of magnesium and iron, Amaranth is a spectacular addition to your diet. This little powerhouse is perfect for gluten free and vegan diets."

*eating the super grain of the Aztecs* Nom nom nom

[Solitaire1]

Dolphins are able to put one half of their brain asleep at a time, while the other half manages their body and keeps them from drowning.

[crich70]

Sharks never stop swimming. Even when they are asleep they are in motion because if they were to stop they would drown.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

The $25 million was for the company that owned the rights. It was for more than just that one song, although that was probably its major asset.

The royalties are said to be around $2 million per year (from film and TV mostly, I think.). That's quite a good return on the investment.

I'm surprised it is used that much in TV and film. On that basis it is a reasonable investment indeed.

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

Well I, for one, make a point of always asking birthday party hosts if they're paying their royalties. If they don't I drop Time Warner a note. I'm very popular at birthday parties.

Originally Posted by trichobezoar

A little more about amaranth--the golden grain of the gods:

"Amaranth is a gluten-free food and a source of complete protein—it contains all the essential amino acids, including lysine, which is lacking in most grains. High in fiber and a good source of magnesium and iron, Amaranth is a spectacular addition to your diet. This little powerhouse is perfect for gluten free and vegan diets."

*eating the super grain of the Aztecs* Nom nom nom

Never heard of it, but given that I'm on a wheat free diet, I will certainly be looking into it. Karma for this .

[Luffy]

King Arthur's lance was called Ron, short for Rongomyniad. His helmet was named Goosewhite, his armour was called Wygar and his war cry was "Clarence!" His sword "Excalibur" isn't actually called "Excalibur, the original name is "Caliburn".