Brazilian Court Orders Adele’s Song Removed Over Copyright Dispute

A Brazilian court has mandated the global removal of Adele’s 2015 hit song Million Years Ago from radio and streaming platforms following a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes.

The ruling, issued by Judge Victor Torres, stems from allegations that the British singer’s track, featured on her acclaimed album 25, bears striking similarities to Geraes’ 1995 composition Mulheres, a classic popularised by Brazilian artist Martinho da Vila.

Geraes, in his lawsuit, asserts that Adele’s song closely mirrors his melody and demands recognition through a songwriting credit, along with compensation for moral damages and lost royalties. He is seeking €150,499.04 in damages.

In addition to ordering the removal of the song, the court has imposed a fine of €7,524.95 for each instance of non-compliance on the Brazilian subsidiaries of Sony Music and Universal Music Group.

The decision underscores the growing scrutiny of intellectual property rights in the global music industry and highlights the legal risks of unintentional similarities in musical compositions. Adele and her representatives have not yet issued a public response to the ruling.