Adele song in legal trouble in Brazil

Judge orders 'Million Years Ago' to be pulled globally

RIO DE JANEIRO:

Brazilian judge has ordered a song by British pop superstar Adele, Million Years Ago, be pulled worldwide – including on streaming services – over an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.

The injunction threatens the Brazilian subsidiaries of Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music, Adele's labels, with a fine of $8,000 "per act of non-compliance." The music companies, however, can still appeal the decision.

The injunction was made by Judge Victor Torres on Friday, in Rio de Janeiro's 6th Commercial Court, pending further activity in the continuing plagiarism case.

His preliminary injunction, obtained on Monday by AFP, orders Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music to stop "immediately and globally, from using, reproducing, editing, distributing or commercialising the song Million Years Ago, by any modality, means, physical or digital support, streaming or sharing platform."

"It is a landmark for Brazilian music, which... has often been copied to compose successful international hits," Fredimio Trotta, the lawyer for Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes who brought the plagiarism complaint, told AFP.

Trotta said his firm this week will work to ensure that radio and television broadcasters, and streaming services around the world, are alerted to the Brazilian ruling.

His client Geraes claims Adele's 2015 song plagiarised the music of his samba classic Mulheres (Women), recorded by famous Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila on a 1995 hit album. Geraes is suing for lost royalties, $160,000 in moral damages, plus songwriting credit on Adele's track.

Sony Music Entertainment Brazil said it did "not have a statement at this time," while Universal Music Brazil did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trotta said the injunction should have a chilling effect on foreign singers and labels looking to rip off Brazilian tunes. AFP