A Brazilian court has issued a landmark ruling ordering the global removal of Adele’s 2015 song Million Years Ago from streaming platforms following allegations of plagiarism by local composer Toninho Geraes.
Judge Victor Torres directed the Brazilian branches of Sony and Universal Music to cease the use, reproduction, distribution, and commercialization of the song across all physical and digital platforms. The injunction also imposes an $8,000 fine for each act of non-compliance.
Geraes claims that Million Years Ago, featured on Adele’s album 25, plagiarized his 1995 samba track Mulheres (Women), famously recorded by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila on the album Tá Delícia, Tá Gostoso. He is seeking $160,000 in moral damages, lost royalties, and songwriting credit for the song.
Fredimio Trotta, Geraes’ attorney, described the ruling as a significant victory for Brazilian music, emphasizing that Brazilian works have often been copied to produce global hits. Trotta stated that his legal team plans to notify streaming services, radio stations, and television networks about the court’s decision.
While the ruling applies globally, it remains unclear if it will be enforceable outside Brazil. Sony and Universal have the right to appeal, and the case continues to spark debate over intellectual property rights in the music industry.
