Brazilian Judge Orders Adele's Song Pulled Over Plagiarism Lawsuit

Adele is facing a serious legal issue as a judge in Brazil has ordered that her song "Million Years Ago" be removed from streaming services worldwide. This order stems from a plagiarism lawsuit filed by Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes.

The 62-year-old Geraes alleges that Adele's song, which is part of her successful 2015 album "25", directly copies from his samba classic "Mulheres" (Women). This particular song was recorded by notable Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila on a hit album back in 1995.

According to reports, experts have analyzed both songs and found significant similarities between their melodies, suggesting there is an "undisguised symmetry" that raises questions about originality.

The ruling was issued by Judge Victor Torres in Rio de Janeiro's sixth commercial court on December 13, and it remains effective as the plagiarism case continues to unfold. The judge's decision puts pressure on the Brazilian branches of major music labels, including Sony and Universal, which represent Adele, with a possible steep fine of $8,000 (£6,300) for each instance of non-compliance.

Both music labels plan to appeal this decision. Mr. Geraes' lawyer, Fredimio Trotta, expressed that this ruling represents a significant moment for Brazilian music, claiming that it has often been overlooked or copied by international artists.

Once the streaming services receive formal notification of the judicial order, "Million Years Ago", which has garnered over 223 million streams on Spotify, will be taken down. A specific date for this removal has not yet been announced.

Mr. Geraes is seeking compensation for lost royalties amounting to $160,000 (£127,000) in moral damages, along with songwriting credit on the track. The lawsuit was first filed in February and also includes a request for compensation for producer Greg Kurstin.

This is not the first time Adele has faced allegations regarding plagiarism related to "Million Years Ago". When it first launched in 2015, some Turkish fans claimed the song bore striking similarities to "Acilara Tutunmak", a song by Kurdish musician Ahmet Kaya from 1985. This sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with accusations of copyright infringement directed at the global star. Kaya's widow, Gulten Kaya, commented on the situation, stating that while it is unlikely Adele would deliberately plagiarize, if she did, it would amount to theft. However, no legal action was pursued in that instance.

Adele, who has an estimated net worth of $220 million thanks to her concerts, music sales, and streaming royalties, recently concluded her two-year residency in Las Vegas. During her final performance, she addressed rumors of her retirement and expressed uncertainty about when she would return to the stage or release new music.

In her emotional speech, she spoke about transitioning into a new chapter of her life, highlighting her family and the challenges of the past year. She noted that her initial foray into the Las Vegas shows was rocky and that 2022 was particularly difficult for her after having to cancel numerous gigs shortly before they were scheduled due to COVID-19 issues.

Adele, plagiarism, lawsuit