1. Cher copyright lawsuit
2. Sonny Bono widow lawsuit
3. Cher legal victory
Cher has emerged victorious in her copyright lawsuit against Mary Bono, the widow of her ex-husband Sonny Bono. The California judge ruled in Cher’s favor, awarding her over $418,000 in unpaid royalties from songs recorded with Sonny & Cher. The dispute arose when Mary exercised termination rights under the Copyright Act in 2016, halting royalty payments to Cher without her knowledge. Wixen Music Publishing, which managed the royalties, became involved in 2011. The legal battle finally ended in Cher’s favor, highlighting the complex history between the iconic singer and her former husband’s estate.
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Cher Wins Copyright Lawsuit Against Ex-Husband Sonny Bono’s Widow Mary
In a recent legal victory, iconic singer Cher has emerged triumphant in her copyright lawsuit against Mary Bono, the widow of her ex-husband Sonny Bono. The dispute, which has been ongoing for nearly three years, centered around royalty payments from songs recorded by Sonny & Cher.
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The lawsuit, filed by Cher in October 2021, has finally come to a resolution, with a California judge ruling in favor of the star. According to court documents obtained by People, Cher is now entitled to more than $418,000 in unpaid royalties from Wixen Music Publishing.
The legal battle stemmed from a decision made by Mary Bono in 2016 to exercise the “termination rights” section of the Copyright Act. This provision allows songwriters or their heirs to regain control of their U.S. publishing rights after 35 years. However, Cher claimed that the termination was carried out without her knowledge or consent, leading to a halt in royalty payments.
Following Sonny Bono’s tragic death in a skiing accident in 1998, Mary took over as the administrator of his estate. She, along with Sonny’s four children, collectively known as “the heirs,” entered into a partnership regarding the songs recorded by Sonny & Cher. Wixen Music Publishing became involved in 2011 to handle the collection and distribution of royalties, with Cher receiving her share.
However, the situation took a turn in 2016 when Mary invoked the termination rights, effectively stopping the payment of royalties to Cher. This prompted the singer to take legal action against Mary, leading to the recent court ruling in her favor.
The judge’s decision highlighted the discrepancy in royalty payments, with Cher being owed a significant amount that had been distributed to Sonny’s heirs instead. The ruling ultimately determined that Cher is entitled to over $418,000 in unpaid royalties, a significant win for the music icon.
Throughout their careers, Sonny and Cher achieved great success with hits like “I Got You Babe” and their popular television show, “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.” Despite their divorce in 1974, Cher maintained a stake in their publishing catalog, which became a point of contention following Sonny’s passing.
Cher’s legal victory serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting artists’ rights and ensuring fair compensation for their work. The ruling sets a precedent for future copyright disputes and reinforces the significance of upholding agreements made between artists and their collaborators.
In conclusion, Cher’s successful outcome in the copyright lawsuit against Mary Bono highlights the importance of upholding agreements and protecting artists’ rights in the music industry. Cher’s persistence and determination have paid off, securing her rightful share of royalties and setting a precedent for fair treatment in the industry.