Abbott & Costello Heirs Don’t Hold “Who’s On First” Copyright

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the heirs of comedians Abbott and Costello failed to demonstrate that they hold a valid copyright over the duo’s world-famous “Who’s on first?” routine. The duo secured a copyright on the routine in 1944, but did not renew it. The heirs argued that the routine merged with a film the comedians copyrighted and remains under protection but Second Circuit judge Reena Raggi wasn’t convinced and sided with the producers of Tony Award-winning play, “Hand to God,” in the suit.