Cher will have to cover more than $1 million in legal fees after a US judge rejected her request to recover the costs of a lengthy court dispute over royalties linked to songs recorded with her late former husband, Sonny Bono.
The singer had sought to reclaim $1,023,605 (£764,810) in legal expenses after successfully challenging Mary Bono, Sonny Bono’s widow, over royalty payments.
Royalty dispute centred on Sonny and Cher songs
Under Cher and Sonny Bono’s 1978 divorce settlement, the singer is entitled to 50% of the publishing income from songs written before their separation, including the duo’s signature hit, I Got You Babe.
However, in 2021, Mary Bono stopped making the royalty payments, arguing she was entitled to reclaim the rights under US copyright termination provisions following Sonny Bono’s death in 1998.
In December 2025, a judge ruled in Cher’s favour, confirming she remained entitled to her share of the publishing royalties.
Cher sought to recover legal costs
Following that victory, Cher asked the court to order Mary Bono to pay her legal bills, arguing the case had been unnecessarily prolonged.
According to court filings, Cher claimed Mary Bono had:
“dragged” proceedings out unnecessarily by “repeatedly and frivolously” creating “unreasonable” new arguments.
Cher sought reimbursement for $1,023,605 spent on legal representation during the dispute.
Judge rejects request for legal fees
This week, Judge John A. Kronstadt ruled that Cher could not recover her legal costs because the case was ultimately decided as a contract dispute rather than a copyright claim.
In his ruling, the judge wrote:
“It has been determined that this action arises under California contract law.”
“In light of the foregoing, because (the Copyright Act) does not apply to the matter at issue, plaintiff’s motion is denied.”
The decision means Cher remains entitled to continue receiving her share of the royalties, but must pay her own legal costs incurred during the litigation.
A long-running dispute over a classic catalogue
The legal battle centred on one of pop music’s most valuable catalogues. Sonny and Cher enjoyed a string of hits during the 1960s, with I Got You Babe remaining one of their most recognisable songs and a staple of classic pop playlists.
While the latest ruling closes the question of legal fees, it leaves intact the earlier judgment confirming Cher’s contractual right to receive 50% of the publishing income from songs covered by the couple’s divorce agreement.
