Bad Bunny's ex-partner wins favorable ruling in lawsuit over voice usage

Carliz de la Cruz Hernández, an ex-partner of global music star Bad Bunny, has secured a significant legal victory. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ruled that she has the right to claim image and copyright for the use of her voice in the artist's music.

The court's decision allows de la Cruz Hernández to pursue her case, which centers on the iconic phrase "Bad Bunny, baby" featured in the songs "Pa ti" and "Dos Mil 16." The ruling, detailed in a 50-page opinion by Associate Justice Mildred Pabón, found that the plaintiff presented sufficient facts to justify her claim.

De la Cruz Hernández, a lawyer by profession, met Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Bad Bunny's real name, in 2011. They had an intermittent relationship until 2016. During this period, in 2015, she recorded the audio clip at the singer's request.

While the Supreme Court dismissed a $40 million claim related to the song "Pa ti" (2016) due to the statute of limitations, the ruling on "Dos Mil 16" allows her case to proceed. This decision could set a precedent for artists regarding the use of vocal samples and personal recordings in music.

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The plaintiff has presented sufficient facts to offer in due course the evidence that justifies this claim. In view of this, the lower courts erred in dismissing the cause of action under the Moral Rights Law.