HIRING AN ATTORNEY VS. DEFENDING YOURSELF
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOWHOM? THE STRANGE HISTORY OF ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’
When many people first think of hiring a lawyer, they don’t often consider the peace of mind they’ll have going into their case; they think about the bill that will follow. True, hiring a lawyer costs money. But compared to the cost of not hiring one and representing yourself in a court of law, it’s pennies on the dollar. Here are a few key reasons why you should hire an attorney when you file a lawsuit. THEY KNOW THE LAW Attorneys have years of education and experience under their belts, especially when it comes to their specific practice area. While you might be able to study up a little bit on the area of law your lawsuit concerns, anything you learn will pale in comparison to what an experienced lawyer already knows. Relying on their expertise will save you time and ensure you are prepared to go up against the defendants — who will more than likely have attorneys of their own. THEY KNOW THE PROCEDURES Winning a suit means orchestrating a lot of moving pieces and processes. Keeping track of all the different documents to sign and file, and all the deadlines by which to file them, can be a headache. Misfiling even just one document can mean the end of your case. If you want to successfully represent yourself in a courtroom, you’ll need to know how to challenge evidence, foster connections with experts and witnesses, and negotiate settlements and plea bargains. An attorney will help you navigate each of these procedures, so you don’t have to do it alone. WHY HIRING AN ATTORNEY IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT ANSWER
Is your calendar full of birthday parties this month? You’re not alone. In the United States, more people are born in September than in any other month, meaning Americans will sing many choruses of “Happy Birthday” this month. This popular tune has a surprisingly controversial history. First composed by sisters Mildred and Patty Hill in 1893, the familiar melody originally belonged to a song called “Good Morning to All,” a song the sisters sang to their students every morning. Over time, the word “birthday” entered variations of the song and became a popular party tune. By the 1930s, “Happy Birthday” appeared all over in films and on the radio, prompting Mildred and Patty’s sister, Jessica, to secure the copyright to “Happy Birthday” due to its similarity to “Good Morning to You.” In 1988, Warner Music acquired the copyright, and the song’s ingrained popularity ensured a profit. They reportedly made $2 million a year on royalty charges. The Walt Disney Company paid $5,000 to use the song in a parade, and many documentaries were also impacted by the copyright. The civil rights documentary “Eyes on the Prize” never made it to DVD because the royalties charge on a scene of Martin Luther King celebrating his birthday was so high. Due to its age and popularity, many people have insisted “Happy Birthday” is, or at least should be, in the public domain. When Warner Music tried to charge filmmaker Jennifer Nelson royalties to make a film about the song, she filed a lawsuit. Her attorneys uncovered a 1922 songbook featuring “Happy Birthday” without any copyright notice. They even suggested Warner Music knowingly hid the songbook because it proved “Happy Birthday” had been in the public domain for decades. In 2015, a U.S. judge ruled that “Happy Birthday” is not under copyright. So, the next time you record guests singing “Happy Birthday” at a birthday party, you don’t have to worry about paying royalties if you upload it online.
THEY KNOW THE BEST WAY FORWARD
You might think you know the proper way to organize your case, but, because of your personal involvement, your feelings may cloud your judgment. An attorney can take a look at
your case and use their unbiased knowledge of laws, procedures, and the specifics of your case to point you in the right direction. If you want a better chance at winning your lawsuit, call Shuttlesworth Law Firm today for a free case evaluation.
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