A new lawsuit involving global music star Bad Bunny is drawing attention to an often-overlooked issue in the music industry: the legal rights associated with voice recordings.
The case highlights a growing risk in modern music production: the use of spoken phrases, vocal tags, or recordings without clear authorization. As music creation becomes increasingly collaborative and digital, disputes over ownership and consent are becoming more common.
For artists, producers, and record labels, the lawsuit serves as a reminder that even brief voice recordings can carry significant legal consequences if used commercially without proper permission.
The Lawsuit Against Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny (real name Benito Martínez Ocasio) is facing a lawsuit seeking approximately $16 million in damages over the alleged unauthorized use of a woman’s voice recording in two of his songs.
The plaintiff, Tainaly Y. Serrano Rivera, claims her voice appears in “Solo de Mi,” from Bad Bunny’s 2018 album X 100pre and “EoO,” from the 2025 album Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
According to the complaint, Rivera recorded a phrase at the request of producer Roberto Rosado while the two were college students. She alleges that she never signed an agreement authorizing the commercial use of the recording and was never compensated for its inclusion in the songs.
The phrase later became associated with Bad Bunny’s brand, appearing not only in music releases but also in concerts, social media content, and merchandise. Rivera claims the continued use of her voice violated her rights and seeks both damages and removal of the recording from future uses.
Bad Bunny, the producer, and Rimas Entertainment have all been named as defendants in the lawsuit.
Why Voice Recordings Can Create Legal Liability
Although sampling disputes are common in music copyright law, this case focuses on a related issue: the use of a person’s voice without consent.
A person’s voice may be protected under several legal frameworks, including:
- Right of publicity, which protects against unauthorized commercial use of a person’s identity
- Privacy rights, particularly when recordings are used without permission
- Copyright and intellectual property law, depending on how the recording was created and used
- Contract law, if no release or license was obtained
Even a short, spoken phrase may trigger legal liability if it is identifiable and used commercially. If the voice becomes closely associated with a song, artist, or brand, courts may view the recording as part of a person’s protected identity.
A Pattern of Voice-Related Lawsuits
This is not the first lawsuit involving Bad Bunny and voice recordings.
In 2023, a former partner filed a separate lawsuit alleging that her voice was used without permission in multiple songs, including the well-known phrase “Bad Bunny, baby.”
That case similarly raised questions about whether informal recordings, such as voice memos or casual studio recordings, can later be used in commercially released music without a formal agreement.
These disputes illustrate how recordings made casually during collaborations or studio sessions can evolve into high-value assets, increasing the stakes if ownership or consent was never clearly established.
Legal Risks for Artists and Producers
For artists, producers, and labels, the Bad Bunny lawsuit underscores the importance of properly clearing and documenting voice recordings before commercial release.
Potential risk areas include:
- Informal Studio Recordings
Many vocal recordings occur during spontaneous creative sessions without written agreements. - Spoken Tags or Vocal Samples
Producers frequently incorporate short spoken phrases or voice snippets into tracks. - Unclear Ownership Rights
If a speaker never signed a release or license agreement, disputes may arise later. - Expanded Commercial Use
Once a recording becomes associated with an artist’s brand, through concerts, marketing, or merchandise, potential damages can increase significantly.
Because modern music production often involves multiple collaborators, ensuring that all rights are properly cleared is essential.
Protecting Creative Work Through Proper Agreements
To avoid disputes over voice recordings, artists and producers should ensure that recordings are properly documented before they are used commercially.
Best practices include:
- Obtaining written voice release agreements
- Clarifying ownership rights during recording sessions
- Documenting consent for samples, spoken phrases, and vocal tags
- Ensuring producers and collaborators secure necessary permissions
- Conducting legal review before releasing or distributing recordings
Taking these steps can help protect creative works while minimizing the risk of costly litigation.
How Romano Law Can Help
As the music industry continues to evolve, legal disputes involving voice recordings, intellectual property, and creative ownership are becoming more common.
Romano Law advises artists, producers, labels, and entertainment companies on matters including:
- Music and entertainment law
- Intellectual property protection and licensing
- Right of publicity and privacy claims
- Contract negotiation for creative collaborations
- Dispute resolution and litigation involving creative works
Contact Romano Law today to schedule a consultation and learn how our team can help protect your creative work and business interests.
Contributions to this blog by Kennedy McKinney.
