"Sound of Music" Songwriters Sue Rose Parade for Copyright Infringement

PASADENA, California -- (FNN -- Floral News Network) -- The rain was not the only misfortune which befell this year's Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. This New Year's tradition, now celebrating its 117th year, took place amid rain showers this morning. A lawsuit has been filed against the parade by the heirs of famed songwriters Rodgers and Hammerstein. The suit alleges that the parade infringed on the copyright of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song "My Favorite Things," from the musical motion picture "The Sound of Music."

In a press conference this morning, lawyer Melody Kant-Singer detailed the terms of the lawsuit. "The heirs of Rodgers and Hammerstein are most unhappy with the Rose Parade," she said. "If you consider the parade and how it was staged in the rain, you can clearly see the copyright infringement. The lyrics of 'My Favorite Things' runs as follows in the first stanza:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things.

Notice the very first words: 'raindrops on roses.' What did we see this morning all over Pasadena? Raindrops on roses. Coincidence? I think not."

The organizers of the Tournament of Roses Parade released a written statement soon after, stating: "We regret that unpredictable weather inconvenienced the participants and spectators of the 117th annual parade. We give our thanks to all the hardworking and long-suffering people who helped make this annual celebration of beauty take place. As regards the lawsuit, we regret that the lawyers want to rain on our parade. We have hired our own team of attorneys, and the Rodgers and Hammerstein legal team will soon find that our roses have thorns."