Adele Song Could Be Pulled Globally Amid Plagiarism Claim

A 2015 song by Adele could be pulled from streaming services globally if the global music community accepts a court order from a Brazilian judge.

Judge Victor Torres ordered the Brazilian subsidiaries of Sony and Universal – Adele’s labels – to halt “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,” per AFP (via The Guardian).

Million Years Ago, a song released on Adele’s 2015 album 25, has been involved in a continuing plagiarism case brought forward by a Brazilian composer named Toninho Geraes.

According to Geraes, Million Years Ago plagiarised the music of his 1995 samba song, Mulheres (Women), which Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila recorded on the album Tá Delícia, Tá Gostoso. Geraes is suing for lost royalties, is seeking $160,000 in moral damages, and wants a songwriting credit on Adele’s song.

Judge Torres's injunction, issued on Friday (13 December), also threatens Sony and Universal with an $8,000 fine “per act of non-compliance.” However, the major labels can appeal the Judge’s decision.

Fredimio Trotta, the lawyer for Toninho Geraes, has described Judge Torres’ ruling as a “landmark” for Brazilian music, alleging that music made in Brazil has “often been copied” to compose successful hits in other parts of the world.

Trotta’s firm has said it will aim to alert streaming services, radio, and television broadcasters, of the Judge’s ruling.

At the time of publication, Sony Brazil declined to comment, and Universal Music Brazil hasn’t responded to the media for comment.

Last year, Adele addressed the growing, concerning trend of concertgoers hurling their personal belongings at artists while they perform (a fan threw a necklace at Billie Eilish, striking her in the face, just days ago). At a show last July, Adele bluntly told her Vegas crowd: “Throw something at me, and I’ll fucking kill you.”