What was the core issue in Cher's lawsuit against Mary Bono?

The lawsuit concerned whether Mary Bono could use termination rights to stop paying Cher royalties from Sonny & Cher songs as per their divorce settlement.

What is the termination right in music law?

The termination right allows artists or their heirs to reclaim ownership of their intellectual property, like songs, 35 years after signing it away.

Will Cher continue to receive royalties from Sonny & Cher songs?

Yes, a California federal judge ruled Cher is entitled to her 50% share of publishing revenue from their songs based on the divorce settlement.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Cher Wins Royalties Battle Against Sonny Bono's Widow

Cher Wins Royalties Battle Against Sonny Bono's Widow

22 Dec

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Summary

Cher retains 50% of publishing royalties from Sonny & Cher hits.
Divorce settlement deemed a compensation contract, not IP grant.
Mary Bono's appeal challenges the judge's interpretation of copyright law.

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.