Cher Sues For Royalties

Cher is suing Warner/Chappell Music Inc. for breach of contract, claiming the company failed to pay royalties estimated at more than $250,000.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court March 3rd, claims the music publisher has not paid song and performance royalties for the last four years.

According to the suit, Cher and Sonny Bono had reached written agreements in 1965 and ’66 for recording services with York Records and Atlantic Recording Corporation that required them to pay royalties and provide an accounting of the payments.

Warner/Chappell, which acquired Atlantic’s publishing assets, breached those contracts, the suit alleges.

Plaintiffs include Sonny and Cher’s daughter, Chastity Bono, and Christy Bono, Sonny’s daughter from his first marriage.

Additional plaintiffs include Sonny’s widow, Mary Bono-Baxley, and their children, Chianna and Cesare Bono.