Brazilian judge bans Adele’s song worldwide

Those wanting to stream Adele’s “Million Years Ago” via streaming portals may soon be disappointed as the song has just been forced to be taken down from the Internet due to a lawsuit.

A judge at the 6th Commercial Court in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 13 issued a first-instance sentence banning copying of the song “Million Years Ago” by British singer Adele because of a plagiarism lawsuit filed by a composer. Brazilian music.

According to the order of the first instance court, the Brazilian subsidiaries of entertainment conglomerates Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music are prohibited from “using, copying, publishing, distributing or selling” this song” worldwide ” until further notice.

Ca sĩ Adele. Ảnh: Billboard

Each case of non-compliance will result in a fine equivalent to 7,800 euros. Music companies can appeal the court’s decision, which applies to all distribution channels – including streaming services and other digital platforms beyond traditional retail. The song is still available on Spotify.

The plagiarism lawsuit was filed by the plaintiff, Brazilian composer Toninho Geares, 62 years old.

He alleges that in Adele’s 2015 song “Million Years Ago,” she copied the melody of the classic samba song “Mulheres” (Women) that famous Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila recorded for an album that became a smash hit in 1995.

Plaintiff Geares is seeking damages equivalent to 158 million euros. The plaintiff’s lawyer said that Geares’ samba hit was “a landmark in Brazilian music, which, thanks to its rich melody, harmony and rhythm, was often copied to create successful international hits.”

The Melody Is Identical”: Judge Orders Global Ban On Adele's Song Over Plagiarism Claim

Sony Music Entertainment in Brazil said the company has not received any notification at this time.

The plaintiff’s complaints claim that 88% of Adele’s song melodies are copied from “Mulheres”, but from 2021 until now, the singer’s representative has not responded. Adele, Sony and Universal have not yet commented on this verdict.

Brazil is a signatory to the 1886 Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.

The song “Million Years Ago” also caused controversy in Türkiye in 2015 because the country’s music fans said they recognized similarities with the 1985 song “Acilara Tutunmak” by the Turkish singer. Kurd Ahmet Kaya.

“Million Years Ago” was recorded by British singer-songwriter Adele for her third studio album, 25 (2015). Lyrically, the song talks about how fame has affected her and everyone around her.

Adele, 36 years old, is considered an iconic British singer with her singing and songwriting skills. She has won 16 Grammy Awards, 12 BRITs annual popular music awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Her two albums titled 25 and 30 both became best-selling albums worldwide in 2015 and 2021 and topped the annual best-selling charts worldwide in the 21st century.