Is Cher’s Legal Battle for $1 Million Royalties Against Mary Bono Building Strength?
Decade-Long Song Royalties Dispute Takes an Unexpected Twist as Judge Takes Sides
Los Angeles, California – In a recent court hearing, a federal judge expressed his belief that iconic singer Cher is entitled to ongoing composition royalties from several hit songs, including “I Got U Babe” and “The Beat Goes On.” This ruling comes as part of a legal battle against Mary Bono, the widow of Cher’s former husband and songwriting partner, Sonny Bono, over the rights to the royalties.
Determining the Strength of Cher’s Claim
U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt’s tentative ruling suggests that Cher’s claim to ongoing royalties is not affected by Sonny’s heirs exercising their right to recapture his copyrights under the federal Copyright Act. The judge emphasized that the divorce settlement agreement awarded Cher a specific portion of the proceeds, indicating that her claim is protected by state contract law rather than copyright termination rules.
Furthermore, Judge Kronstadt dismissed Mary Bono’s argument that Cher lacks standing in the case. The judge stated that standing is assessed at the time of filing, and as Cher had standing at the time of filing, her lawsuit should not be dismissed. The judge also disagreed with Mary’s claim that Cher’s sale of her stake in the Sonny Bono composition royalties in 2022 affected her right to sue. The judge’s ruling suggests a strong position in Cher’s favor.
Potential Impact on Sonny Bono’s Heirs and Mary Bono’s Responsibilities
Mary Bono, who currently controls Sonny Bono’s estate, argues that the royalties claimed by Cher align with the heirs’ interests and that she alone has the right to nominate candidates to administer the composition copyrights. While the judge is inclined to agree with Mary on this particular aspect, he suggested the potential for a compromise on the division of royalties. Mary’s proposal involves limiting Cher’s entitlement to the same 50 percent cut she and Sonny had agreed on previously.
Attorneys at Odds: A Clash of Legal Interpretations
Cher’s lawyer, Peter J. Anderson, dismissed Mary Bono’s proposal, asserting that Cher’s entitlement to royalties encompassed all sources, including publishing royalties. Anderson cited state rights and the terms of the divorce settlement agreement as evidence to support Cher’s claim to 50 percent of all composition royalties.
As both parties await the judge’s formal ruling, he suggested a possible settlement and mediation to resolve the dispute. If the judge upholds his tentative ruling, further disagreements over the exact royalties owed to Cher may ensue, potentially leading to a trial. However, a great majority of the disputed money sits in an escrow account, increasing the likelihood of an agreement between the parties.
The Cher Legacy and the Legal Battle
Cher, a renowned performer and multi-award winner, rose to fame as part of the duo Sonny & Cher in the 1960s. Her successful solo career and acclaimed film roles further solidified her place in entertainment history. Sonny Bono, Cher’s former husband and musical collaborator, tragically passed away in 1998. Since Sonny’s composition copyrights became eligible for termination in 2018, the legal dispute over the associated royalties has persisted.
Mary Bono, who succeeded Sonny in Congress after his untimely death, represented the Palm Springs area of Southern California for 15 years. Previous attempts by Mary to dismiss Cher’s claims based on federal copyright law have been unsuccessful.
