Ricardo Montaner Sues UMG Over Music Catalog Rights: ‘Wrongful Claims of Ownership’

The Latin star alleges the music giant refuses to honor his termination rights and is now interfering with a new indie distribution deal.

Ricardo Montaner performs with CNCO onstage during Univision's 33rd Edition of Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina at AmericanAirlines Arena on February 18, 2021 in Miami, Florida.

Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images for Univision

Latin star Ricardo Montaner is suing Universal Music Group (UMG) over the ownership of his early album masters.

Montaner has brought lawsuits in both the U.S. and Venezuela, alleging UMG is refusing to revert the rights to his first five releases between 1986 and 1992: Ricardo Montaner, Ricardo Montaner 2, Un Toque de Misterio, En El Último Lugar del Mundo and Los Hijos del Sol. These albums include the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart-toppers “La Cima Del Cielo, “Castillo Azul” and “Piel Adentro.”