Weekly Newsletter: The Legal Beat – Cher Wins Copyright Battle, Bad Bunny Lawsuit Moves Forward, and More!

The Legal Beat: Cher Wins Copyright Battle, Bad Bunny Lawsuit Moves Forward, The-Dream Faces Sexual Abuse Allegations

In this week’s edition of The Legal Beat, we bring you the latest updates on some of the biggest legal battles in the music industry. From Cher’s victory in a copyright battle to a massive lawsuit against reggaeton stars like Bad Bunny, there’s no shortage of drama in the world of music law.

Cher emerged victorious in a closely-watched legal battle against Sonny Bono’s widow, Mary Bono. The case centered on the complex intersection of federal copyrights and state-level divorce law. Cher successfully reclaimed control of Sonny’s copyrights using the termination right, a legal provision that allows creators and heirs to regain control of their works years after selling them. The ruling by Judge John A. Kronstadt ensures that Cher will continue to receive publishing royalties for songs created with Sonny, including hits like “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On.”

In another major development, a federal judge allowed a massive copyright lawsuit against nearly 2,000 reggaeton songs to move forward. The lawsuit alleges that hits by artists like Bad Bunny and Karol G infringed on a 1989 song called “Fish Market,” which is said to have inspired the popular “dem bow” rhythm. The judge rejected claims that the lawsuit aimed to monopolize the reggaeton genre, paving the way for further legal proceedings.

Elsewhere, R&B hitmaker The-Dream found himself embroiled in a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by a young songwriter named Chanaaz Mangroe. The lawsuit alleges that The-Dream subjected Mangroe to a manipulative and abusive relationship, including an incident of rape. The-Dream, known for his work with Beyoncé and Rihanna, now faces serious legal consequences as the case unfolds.

These are just a few of the top legal stories making headlines in the music industry this week. Stay tuned to The Legal Beat for more updates on the latest cases, rulings, and controversies shaping the world of music law.