BetteBack U.S. Circuit Court of appeals has upheld a $400,000 award granted Bette Midler

New Castle News
September 23, 1991

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals has upheld a $400,000 award granted Bette Midler after the singer sued an advertising agency that used a “ soundalike” singer for a television commercial.

“ We’re very pleased that the Court of Appeals has upheld the property rights which performers have in their voices,” Peter Laird, Midler’s attorney, said Friday.

A federal jury in Los Angeles found in 1988 that Young & Rubicam violated Midler’s exclusive right to her vocal style by having another singer, Ula Hedwig, mimic Midler’s version of the song “ Do You Wanna Dance?”