A Brazilian judge has ordered Adele's 2015 song "Million Years Ago" to be removed from all streaming platforms and radio stations worldwide following allegations of plagiarism from Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes.
Judge Victor Torres issued a preliminary injunction directing Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music to immediately cease all distribution and commercialization of the song across physical and digital formats globally. Brazilian subsidiaries face an $8,000 fine for any non-compliance.
The legal action stems from a 2021 lawsuit filed by Geraes, who claims Adele's track plagiarized his 1995 samba composition "Mulheres (Women)," recorded by Martinho da Vila. Geraes seeks lost royalties, songwriting credit, and $160,000 in moral damages.
Geraes, a renowned figure in Brazilian music with over 250 recorded songs, responded to the ruling on social media: "There's still a long way to go, but I'm standing firm, with hope and believing in the strength of samba and in justice."
His attorney, Fredimio Trotta, framed the decision as a warning against the unauthorized use of Brazilian music. "International producers and artists who have Brazilian music 'on their radar' will think twice," he stated.
This isn't the first controversy surrounding "Million Years Ago." In 2015, Turkish fans noted similarities between the song and "Acilara Tutunmak" by Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya, though no legal action followed.
Representatives for Adele have not yet publicly commented on the ruling or the ongoing legal proceedings.
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