Cher has emerged victorious in her legal battle over royalties from the music she created with her late ex-husband, Sonny Bono. The dispute centered around the enduring legacy of the duo's collaboration, which produced hits that have continued to resonate with fans long after their divorce became official in 1978. At the time of their separation, Cher was entitled to a permanent 50% share of the publishing revenues from the songs they recorded together. This arrangement persisted even after Sonny's passing in 1998, but faced a challenge in 2021 when Mary Bono, Sonny's widow, invoked the "termination right" — a federal copyright law that allows songwriters and their heirs to reclaim control of intellectual property.
Cher's response to the cessation of her royalties was swift. She filed a lawsuit in 2021, asserting her rights to the financial benefits that were agreed upon in her divorce settlement. Last week, a federal judge delivered a verdict affirming that the divorce agreement provided Cher with a "contractual right to receive financial compensation," a right that stands firm against the termination right invoked by Mary Bono. This decision not only secures Cher's claim to the royalties but also sets a precedent for similar cases where contractual agreements are contested by statutory provisions.
Cher faces another legal challenge concerning her family. She is currently seeking emergency conservatorship of her son, Elijah Blue Allman, from her marriage to Gregg Allman. While this case remains on hold, the recent court ruling has granted Cher a significant financial vindication, as she is now owed over $400,000 in past royalties that have accumulated since the onset of the lawsuit. [Source: Classic Hits Today]