British megastar Adele is facing plagiarism accusations over her song Million Years Ago, a track from her chart-topping album 25.
A Brazilian court has ordered the song to be removed from streaming platforms worldwide in response to claims made by composer Toninho Geraes, whose lawsuit alleges that Adele’s 2015 release bears striking similarities to his samba classic Mulheres (Women).
The original track, performed by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila, was part of a popular 1995 album.
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Judge Victor Torres issued the injunction on December 13 in Rio de Janeiro’s sixth commercial court, citing an “undisguised symmetry” between the melodies of the two songs after expert analysis.
The ruling will remain in place while the plagiarism case continues.
It also imposes a fine of $8,000 (£6,300) on the Brazilian branches of Sony and Universal, Adele’s record labels, for every instance of non-compliance.
Both labels retain the right to appeal.
Fredimio Trotta, the attorney representing Geraes, described the decision as a pivotal moment for Brazilian music, which he claims has often been imitated to produce global hits.
He confirmed his team’s efforts to notify streaming platforms, radio stations, and broadcasters worldwide about the court’s order.
Once formal notices are served, Million Years Ago—which has amassed over 223 million streams on Spotify—will be removed from these services.
However, an exact timeline for its removal has not been announced.
The legal dispute centers on royalties and damages. Geraes, 62, is seeking compensation for lost earnings, $160,000 (£127,000) in moral damages, and songwriting credits on Adele’s track.
Additionally, the lawsuit, which was filed in February, demands compensation for the song’s producer, Greg Kurstin.
This case highlights ongoing debates about intellectual property in the music industry and underscores the global reach of copyright disputes.
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SOURCE: Judge orders Adele song be PULLED over plagiarism claim
