Cher Triumphs in Royalties Dispute Against Mary Bono, Ex Sonny Bono's Widow

Cher has emerged victorious in her lengthy legal battle with Mary Bono, the widow of her ex-husband Sonny Bono.

On Wednesday, May 29, a federal judge in the Central District of California made a ruling in Cher's favor. It was decided that the 78-year-old singer is entitled to the royalties from the songs she and Sonny recorded together during their marriage. This decision upheld a preliminary ruling made by the judge back in February.

Cher received a 50 percent stake in the musical duo's publishing catalog as part of their 1978 divorce settlement. After Sonny passed away in 1998, an agreement was made between Cher and his family regarding the rights. However, Mary, Sonny's family member, argued that she no longer needed to pay royalties.

In 2016, Mary initially used the Copyright Act's "termination rights," a federal provision allowing songwriters and their heirs to reclaim publishing rights after 35 years. Five years later, Cher filed a lawsuit claiming she was still entitled to the 50 percent share she received in the settlement. Mary responded by arguing that the federal provision could not be waived.

Cher will keep getting royalties for her popular songs with Sonny, like “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On.” The total amount is over $400,000, accumulated since the legal dispute started.

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Sonny Bono and his fourth wife Mary Whitaker were photographed in the kitchen of their Palm Springs home in California on January 1, 1991.

According to Judge John A. Kronstadt, Cher was granted a "contractual right to receive financial compensation" as part of her divorce settlement. He explained that this right to receive royalties is different from being granted copyright ownership.

Sonny & Cher became popular in the 1960s and performed together until they broke up. They were nominated for two Grammy Awards and sold over 40 million records worldwide. After the split, Cher pursued a successful solo career and earned the title of "Goddess of Pop," while Sonny entered the world of politics.

Sonny married Mary in 1986 and they remained married until his death in a skiing accident in 1998. Cher delivered a eulogy at her ex-husband's funeral.

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Mary Bono Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Cher, known for her role in Moonstruck, was married to Gregg Allman from 1975 to 1979. They had one child together, Chaz Bono, and she also welcomed Elijah Blue Allman with the Allman Brothers Band singer.

In addition to her copyright battle, Cher also filed for a conservatorship of her youngest son, Elijah, citing his alleged substance abuse issues. Court documents from December 2023 stated that she believed Elijah was unable to manage his financial resources. Recently, Cher and Elijah agreed to temporarily halt all legal proceedings regarding the conservatorship after a private mediation session.

Editor's P/S:

The legal battle between Cher and Mary Bono highlights the complexities of intellectual property rights, especially in the context of divorce and the passage of time. Cher's victory affirms the importance of upholding contractual agreements, even decades after they are made. It also underscores the value of protecting the financial interests of artists, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their creative contributions.

Moreover, the article provides a glimpse into the personal lives of the individuals involved. Sonny Bono's legacy as a musician and politician is intertwined with his relationships with Cher and Mary. Cher's ongoing battle with her son's substance abuse issues adds a layer of personal drama to the legal proceedings. These aspects humanize the story, reminding us that behind the legal jargon and financial stakes are real people and their experiences.