Court In Brazil Orders Million Years Ago Song From Adele Withdrawn From Circulation

JAKARTA - The court in Brazil ordered Adele's song titled 'Million Years Ago' from the album 25 (2015), to be withdrawn from its worldwide circulation, due to claims of plagiarism by a Samba Country composer named Toninho Geraes.

It is known that Geraes claimed the song 'Million Years Ago' plagiarized the composition of his classic samba song, 'Mulheres', recorded by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila, and released on his album in 1995.

Meanwhile, Adele's withdrawal order was declared by judge Victor Torres at Rio de Janeiro's sixth trading court on Friday last week.

In this case, the court order threatened Sony and Universal's subsidiary in Brazil, Adele's label, with a fine of 8,000 US dollars (Rp128.67) for any non-compliance.

According to AFP, its preliminary ruling ordered Sony and Universal to stop immediately globally from using, reproducing, editing, distribution, or commercializing the song 'Million Years Ago', with any means, either physical or digital, as well as streaming or sharing platforms.

"This is a milestone for Brazilian music, which is often imitated for creating successful international hit songs," said Fredimo Trotta, lawyer for Toninho Geraes, citing AFP via Guardian, Wednesday, December 18.

Trotta said his company would work to ensure that radio broadcasters, televisions, and streaming services around the world were notified of the ruling.

Meanwhile, Geraes demanded the loss of royalties, moral compensation of USD 160,000 (IDR 2.57 billion), plus songwriting credit on Adele's song.

Sony Brazil said it was unable to give a statement at this time, while Universal Music Brazil did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trotta said the court's ruling should have a dire effect on foreign singers and labels who want to plagiarize Brazil's songs.

"Produsers and international artists who put Brazilian music 'on their radar' for possible use of parasites will think twice, given this decision," concluded the lawyer.