Cher Wins Royalties Battle Against Sonny Bono's Widow

Cher has emerged victorious in a significant royalties lawsuit against Mary Bono, the widow of her former husband and musical partner, Sonny Bono. The dispute centered on Cher's continued receipt of 50% of the publishing revenue from iconic Sonny & Cher hits, as stipulated in their 1978 divorce settlement. This ruling by a California federal judge confirmed Cher's right to these royalties, which stem from beloved songs like "I Got You Babe" and "The Beat Goes On."

The core of the legal argument revolved around the termination right, a provision within the federal Copyright Act allowing artists or their heirs to regain control of intellectual property after a set period. Mary Bono contended that this right should allow her to terminate Sonny's assignment of royalties to Cher. However, U.S. District Judge John A. Kronstadt determined in May 2024 that the divorce agreement was fundamentally a contract for financial compensation, distinct from a grant of intellectual property.

Despite the final judgment entered in November 2024, Mary Bono's legal team has appealed the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on December 22, 2025. Her attorneys argue that the judge misinterpreted copyright termination laws, potentially creating a damaging precedent that could allow publishers and labels to circumvent the Copyright Act. The outcome of this appeal remains highly anticipated within the music industry.