Jenni Rivera Heirs’ Music Royalty Lawsuit Takes Trim, Advances

Late Spanish-language singer Jenni Rivera’s father’s record company escaped much of a copyright, trademark, and contract suit from her heirs.

Jenni Rivera Enterprises LLC failed to show Cintas Acuario Inc. exceeded contractual rights to use Rivera’s publicity rights, trademarks or copyrights, but credibly alleged breach of contract for nonpayment of royalties, the US District Court for the Central District of California said.

Rivera’s heirs could only reach back four years from the 2023 suit to collect royalties owed, though, because Rivera’s sister—as JRE’s CEO—knew of the nonpayment in at least 2016, District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. wrote Monday.

The ruling ...