Brazilian judge orders Adele song removed over plagiarism claim

A judge in Rio de Janeiro has ordered the global removal of a 2015 song by British singer Adele due to a plagiarism claim by a Brazilian musician, which Universal Music is fighting on appeal.

The ruling made public on Monday, came in a case filed this year by Toninho Geraes, whose compositions were made famous by some of Brazil's most acclaimed samba singers.

Geraes accused Adele of copying his song "Mulheres," which has been a national hit since the 1990s. His lawyers uploaded a comparison of that song to Adele's "Million Years Ago."

"The ruling shows that the Brazilian justice system is strong and that injuries to Brazilian artists won't be ignored," said Fredimio Biasotto Trotta, a lawyer for Geraes.

Composer Toninho Geraes poses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil December 18, 2024. REUTERS/Aline Massuca

The decision orders Sony Music Entertainment 6758.T and Universal Music UMG.AS to immediately cease "using, reproducing, editing, distributing, or commercializing" the song by any means on streaming or sharing platforms, without Geraes' consent. It set a fine of 50,000 reais ($8,080.94) if the companies fail to comply with the order.

Trotta said the Berne Convention, an international treaty, orders other signatory countries, including the U.S., to comply with legal decisions regarding copyright.

Geraes' lawyers are now notifying streaming services, such as Spotify SPOT.N and Deezer DEEZR.PA, to withdraw the song in Brazil and globally. On Wednesday morning, the song was still widely available.

Universal appealed the decision on Tuesday, arguing that there was no plagiarism but an "accidental melodic similarity" due to the use of "musical clichés."

Both Adele and Geraes have contracts with Universal, but the Brazilian musician has been trying to terminate his contract with the company due to his plagiarism claim, his lawyer said.

"I felt very disrespected," Geraes told Reuters. He is asking the courts for compensation of more than $150,000.

Lawyers representing Universal Music declined to comment, and Sony Music did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Geraes learned of the similarities between the two songs after a friend, who is also a composer, heard Adele's "Million Years Ago" at a party in 2021.