Adele’s 2015 hit, “Million Years Ago”risks being pulled from global streaming platforms following an accusation of plagiarism made by Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes.
The decision, handed down by Judge Victor Torres at the Sixth Commercial Court in Rio de Janeiro, forces Sony and Universal – the artist’s record companies – to stop using, distributing and monetizing the song globally. In case of non-compliance, companies face a fine of $8,000 for each violation.
“This is an important moment for Brazilian music, which has often been the source of inspiration for international blockbuster hits,” Fredimio Trotta, Geraes’ lawyer, said accordingly The Guardian.
Singer Adele Photo Shutterstock
$160,000, sought in damages. “Million Years Ago” vs. “Wives”
According to composer Toninho Geraes, the song “Million Years Ago” he would have plagiarized his samba piece “Wives” (Women), released in 1995 and performed by Martinho da Vila. Geraes is seeking recognition of his authorship over the song’s composition, royalties and $160,000 in damages for the alleged infringement of his rights.
Sony Music Brazil chose not to comment and Universal Music Brazil has yet to respond.
Trotta emphasized that this decision should be a warning sign: “International producers and artists who have Brazilian music on their radar for potential parasitic use will think twice before acting after this ruling.”
“Million Years Ago” vs. “Acilara Tutunmak”
This is not the first accusation of plagiarism that Adele has faced in relation to the song “Million Years Ago”. In 2015, Turkish music fans compared it to the song “Acilara Tutunmak” (“Clinging to the Pain”)a 1985 song by Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya, considering that there are similarities between the two songs.
However, although the melody line seems much closer to this version, at the time Kaya’s widow defended Adele, claiming that it was unlikely that a world-class artist would intentionally copy her husband’s music.
Brazil’s decision is based on the country’s membership of the 1886 Berne Convention, which provides global copyright protection. The case is still ongoing, as the record companies are expected to appeal the court order. Basically, the sentence is not final.
