Adele faces global ban as composer accuses her of plagiarism

A judge in Brazil ordered that the song Million Years Ago by British singer Adele be removed from global platforms due to a plagiarism accusation. The ruling stems from a complaint made by Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes, who asserts that Adele's song copied elements from his samba classic Mulheres (Women), originally recorded by Martinho da Vila in 1995. This injunction, issued by Judge Victor Torres in Rio de Janeiro on December 13, targets the Brazilian branches of Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music and comes with a potential fine of $8,000 for each violation of the order. The order mandates that these music companies cease all uses of the song in any form, which includes streaming and physical copies, until further legal developments unfold. Geraes seeks $160,000 in moral damages, lost royalties, and songwriting credit for his work in relation to Adele's recording. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the protection of Brazilian music and claims of international artists borrowing elements from its rich cultural heritage. This legal decision transforms a simple music dispute into a matter of international copyright law, illustrating how Brazilian music has often been appropriated by international acts without due credit or compensation. The decision not only affects Adele but could also influence how international artists engage with Brazilian music in future projects. Geraes's attorney, Fredimio Trotta, noted that the order should deter foreign artists from using Brazilian musical styles as mere commodities. Given that Brazil is a signatory to the Berne Convention for the protection of copyrighted works, it further underlines the seriousness of international copyright issues. Additionally, despite earlier allegations of plagiarism against Adele from Turkish fans regarding the same song, this Brazilian case brings a new level of attention and scrutiny to her work. Industry reactions from Sony and Universal have been muted, with no immediate public comments from either company regarding the ramifications of this ruling. However, both entities have the option to appeal, which could lead to ongoing legal challenges. This situation is reflective of broader issues in the music industry concerning originality, cultural appropriation, and the rights of creators.