Brazil judge orders Adele’s ‘Million Years Ago’ song pulled over plagiarism claim

“This is a landmark for Brazilian music, which has often been copied for major international hits,” said Fredimio Trotta, Geraes’ lawyer, The Guardian reported.

Toninho Geraes alleges that “Million Years Ago” plagiarised the melody of his samba song “Mulheres” (Women), released in 1995 and performed by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila. Geraes is seeking songwriting credit, royalties, and $160,000 in damages for what he claims to be a violation of his rights.

Sony Music Brazil has refrained from commenting, and Universal Music Brazil is yet to respond.

Trotta emphasised that this decision should serve as a warning. “International producers and artists who have Brazilian music ‘on their radar’ for potential parasitic use will think twice after this ruling.”

This is not the first plagiarism accusation Adele has faced with “Million Years Ago”. In 2015, Turkish music fans compared it to “Acilara Tutunmak” (Clinging to Pain), a 1985 song by Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya.

Kaya’s widow defended Adele at the time, saying it was unlikely a global artist would intentionally copy his music.

Brazil’s ruling relies on the country’s membership in the 1886 Berne Convention, which ensures global copyright protection. The case remains ongoing as the labels are expected to appeal the injunction.

(with inputs from The Guardian)