Brazilian Judge Rules This Adele Song Plagiarized a Classic Samba Song
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Adele performs during her final Las Vegas residency show "Weekends with Adele", at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for AD)
British singer Adele has been hit with plagiarism claims. Last Friday (Dec. 13), a Brazilian judge ruled that Adele’s 2015 song “Million Years Ago” should be removed from all streaming services and should no longer be played or commercialized in the country after a Brazilian songwriter claimed she plagiarized his 1995 samba song “Mulheres.”
According to Brazilian news outlet g1, Judge Victor Agustin Jaccoud Diz Torres granted the preliminary injunction requested by songwriter Toninho Geraes against Sony Music Entertainment Brasil Ltda., Universal Music Publishing MGB Brasil Ltda., Adele, Greg Kurstin, and Beggars Group. The decision recognized the similarities between both melodies and ruled for the immediate suspension of the plagiarized work’s exploration in all 181 signatory countries of The Berne Convention. These include all of the Americas, most of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with just a few exceptions for the last four. A fine of R$ 50,000 (about $8,000) per day of non-compliance to the decision was imposed as a penalty.
“Mulheres” is Geraes’ most renowned samba song, reaching classic status in the voice of Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila. He asked for R$ 1 million ($160,000) in moral damages and compensation for copyright earnings since the release of Adele’s song. Per g1, the ruling mentioned undeniable evidence, such as melodic overlapping, technical analysis of waveforms, and specialized opinions. Moreover, the magistrate’s personal opinion also influenced the decision after he listened to both tracks and verified their similarities.
Adele’s record label in Brazil, Universal Music, has asked for the decision to be reconsidered, according to g1. The company lawyers claim that there has been no plagiarism, only use of “common musical cliches.” According to them, both songs use the circle of fifths chord progression, which is a well-known and vastly used harmonic sequence in the music world.
Online, the Brazilian reaction has been mostly supportive of their compatriots. One X user wrote: “Imagine questioning Martinho da Vila’s history and cultural relevance to defend Adele, while living in Brazil. Shame.” “IT’S OFICIAL: Adele has debuted her first lawsuit on Jusbrasil,” wrote another X user, referring to a Brazilian website where you can find every legal action in the country. Other users say that the similarities between the songs are “evident.”
Fredimio Trotta, Geraes’ lawyer, told The Times that the decision was a “landmark for Brazilian music, which has often been copied to compose successful international hits.” He added that international artists will now think twice before attempting “parasitic use” of Brazilian music. He added that though it’s “virtually impossible” for overseas judges in Britain to enforce the decision, the injunction would proceed within Brazil.
As of publishing, Adele has yet to issue a statement.
