Bad Bunny sued for $16 million ahead of his massive Super Bowl performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. This legal battle stems from the alleged unauthorized use of a voice recording in two hit songs. Tainaly Y. Serrano Rivera filed the lawsuit claiming her voice appears on tracks from 2018 and 2025. The plaintiff alleges she never signed a contract allowing the commercial use of her specific catchphrase. This controversy emerges just weeks before the reggaeton star takes the global stage for the halftime show. Legal experts suggest the timing of the suit puts significant pressure on the artist and his label. The recording in question was reportedly made during their time as students at a university in Puerto Rico. Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio now faces a serious challenge regarding publicity rights and privacy violations. This case highlights the complexities of copyright in the digital age of music streaming, as noted by the Baltimore Chronicle.
The legal battle over a viral reggaeton catchphrase
The core of the legal dispute involves a specific audio line delivered by Rivera in a recording session. She claims the phrase Mira puñeta no me quiten el perreo was used without her explicit consent. According to the court documents, this audio appears in the songs Solo de Mi and EoO. The plaintiff asserts that producer Roberto Rosado asked her to record the line back in 2018. At that time, both were students at the Interamerican University of Arecibo in Puerto Rico. Rivera claims she was never informed the recording would be used for commercial or advertising purposes. Now, she is seeking massive compensation for the use of her voice across global platforms.
Key details regarding the lawsuit and participants:
- Plaintiff: Tainaly Y. Serrano Rivera, a former student at the Interamerican University.
- Defendant: Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, professionally known as Bad Bunny.
- Producer: Roberto Rosado, also known as La Paciencia, who initiated the recording.
- Legal Claim: Unauthorized use of voice for commercial gain and publicity rights.
- Compensation Sought: Total damages amounting to 16 million dollars from the artist.
- Label Involved: Rimas Entertainment, the company representing the Puerto Rican superstar.
- Court Date: The parties are currently scheduled to appear in court during May.
The lawsuit alleges that Bad Bunny used the phrase during concerts and to sell various merchandise items. This commercial exploitation without a signed agreement forms the basis of the multi-million dollar demand for payment. Rivera argues that her privacy was violated when her voice became a global brand element. The defense will likely focus on the circumstances of the original recording session from seven years ago. Legal analysts believe the outcome could set a precedent for amateur recordings in professional music production. The entertainment industry is watching closely as the Super Bowl date approaches rapidly.
Recurring legal troubles and the Super Bowl controversy
This is not the first time the reggaeton icon has faced serious legal action over voice recordings. In 2023, his ex-girlfriend Carliz de La Cruz Hernandez filed a similar suit for 40 million dollars. That case involved the famous phrase Bad Bunny baby used in several other popular tracks. Interestingly, Rivera is represented by the same legal team that handled the previous high profile case. Attorneys Jose Marxuach Fagot and Joanna Bocanegra are leading this new 16 million dollar legal challenge. These mounting legal issues come at a time of significant political tension for the musician.
| Legal Case Details | Year Filed | Amount Demanded | Status of Case |
| Tainaly Rivera Suit | 2026 | 16 million dollars | Pending court appearance |
| Carliz Hernandez Suit | 2023 | 40 million dollars | Still pending in court |
| Copyright Claims | Various | Undisclosed | Settlements and mediation |
The upcoming Super Bowl performance has already generated a significant amount of heated political debate across the country. President Donald Trump and his supporters have publicly criticized Bad Bunny for his recent political stances. Some critics are calling for the NFL to replace him with a different performer for the show. Despite the legal and political noise, the artist remains focused on his upcoming performance in Santa Clara. He is also preparing for the 68th Grammy Awards where he holds six major nominations this year. These nominations include album of the year and record of the year for his recent work.
The legal team for the singer has not yet released an official statement regarding the new lawsuit. Rimas Entertainment is expected to contest the claims vigorously in the upcoming court sessions scheduled for May. Most experts believe the Super Bowl performance will proceed as planned regardless of the pending litigation. However, the negative publicity could impact brand sponsorships and merchandise sales during the event. Fans are divided on whether the artist should pay the requested amount or fight the case. The intersection of university friendships and professional music production continues to create legal risks for stars.
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