A Brazilian court has ordered the global removal of British pop superstar Adele’s song, “Million Years Ago,” from all platforms due to ongoing plagiarism allegations by a Brazilian composer.
The court order imposes an $8,000 fine on the Brazilian branches of Sony and Universal, Adele’s record labels, for each instance of non-compliance.
These music corporations are eligible to contest the court’s ruling.
Issued by Judge Victor Torres of Rio de Janeiro’s sixth commercial court on Friday, the injunction remains in effect pending further proceedings in the plagiarism case.
The provisional court order, disclosed by AFP on Monday, mandates that Sony and Universal must cease the worldwide use, reproduction, editing, distribution, or commercialization of the song “Million Years Ago” in any form, whether physical, digital, or through streaming platforms.
“This is a landmark for Brazilian music, which has often been copied to create successful international hits,” stated Fredimio Trotta, attorney for Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes who initiated the plagiarism claim.
Trotta revealed that his law firm intends to notify radio and television broadcasters and streaming platforms globally about the Brazilian court’s decision this week.
Toninho Geraes alleges that Adele’s 2015 song copied his samba tune “Mulheres,” performed by Brazilian artist Martinho da Vila on his popular 1995 album.
Geraes is seeking compensation for uncollected royalties, $160,000 for moral damages, and a songwriting credit on Adele’s song.
Sony Brazil declined to comment at this time, and Universal Music Brazil has yet to respond to inquiries for a statement.
Trotta suggested that this injunction could deter international artists and producers from exploiting Brazilian music without proper acknowledgment.
“International producers and artists who have Brazilian music ‘on their radar’ for possible parasitic use will think twice, given this decision,” the lawyer said.
Adele faced similar accusations of plagiarism from Turkish music fans in 2015, who noted similarities between her song and a 1985 track by Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya titled “Acilara Tutunmak” (Clinging to Pain).
Kaya passed away in exile in France in 2000, and his widow expressed doubt that a global star like Adele would commit such an act.
Brazil is a participant in the 1886 Berne Convention, which provides international legal protection for copyrighted materials.
