Julius OkorieThese are no happy moments for English and singer-songwriter, Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, popularly known as Adele, after a court in Brazil issued a global injunction to halt the distribution and streaming of her hit song “Million Years Ago”
The hammer came following allegations of plagiarism by Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe ruling, handed down by Judge Victor Torres of Rio de Janeiro’s 6th Commercial Court, requires the Brazilian branches of Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music to stop forthwith all forms of use, reproduction, editing, distribution, or commercialisation of the song.
The injunction applies to both physical and digital platforms, including streaming services and sharing platforms worldwide.
Failure to comply with the order will result in a fine of $8,000 for each violation. However, Sony Music and Universal Music have the right to appeal the decision.
“It is a landmark for Brazilian music, which has often been copied to compose successful international hits,” Fredimio Trotta, the lawyer for Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes who brought the plagiarism complaint, told AFP.
Trotta confirmed that his legal team would notify radio stations, television broadcasters, and streaming platforms globally about the court’s decision.
The plagiarism claim centres on similarities between Adele’s 2015 track and Geraes’ samba classic “Mulheres” (translated as “Women”), which was famously performed by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila in 1995.
Geraes is seeking compensation for lost royalties, moral damages of $160,000, and songwriting credit on Adele’s track.
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Trotta emphasiszed that the ruling could serve as a warning to international artists and producers who might consider using elements of Brazilian music without proper authorisation.
“International producers and artists who… have Brazilian music ‘on their radar’ for possible parasitic use will think twice, given this decision,” the lawyer said.
Brazil is a signatory to the 1886 Berne Convention, which ensures international copyright protection for creative works.
Adele,known for her mezzo-soprano vocals boasts of 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
The 36 year old is one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with sales of over 120 million records worldwide. She is known to be best-selling female artist of the 21st century in the UK. Recall that she was named the best-selling artist of the 2010s in the US.
A die-hard supporter of the Labour Party, Adele hinged her support for the labour party on her submission that she has been a “Labour girl through and through”.
As of 2024, Adele’s net worth is estimated to be a staggering $220 million, placing her among the wealthiest musicians in the world.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
