Listen to obscure Brazilian song at centre of Adele plagiarism storm that could see her track BANNED…is it too similar?
THIS is the Brazilian samba song at the centre of the Adele plagiarism row that could see her 2015 hit banned across the globe.
The song Mulheres (Women), was recorded by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila in 1995.
Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes claims Adele‘s “Million Years Ago” hit plagiarises his work.
A judge in Rio de Janeiro has ordered the song to be pulled worldwide including on streaming services.
The plagiarism claim which was brought in 2021 is ongoing, but the injunction calls for the song to be pulled while it continues.
A preliminary injunction orders Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music to stop “immediately and globally, from using, reproducing, editing, distributing or commercialising the song by any modality, means, physical or digital support, streaming or sharing platform”.
The injunction threatens the Brazilian subsidiaries of Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music, Adele‘s labels, with a fine of $8,000 (£6,300) “per act of non-compliance.”
Lawyer for Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes, Fredimio Trotta said: “It is a landmark for Brazilian music, which… has often been copied to compose successful international hits.”
“International producers and artists who have Brazilian music ‘on their radar’ for possible parasitic use will think twice, given this decision.”
Geraes is suing for lost royalties, $160,000 in moral damages, plus songwriting credit on Adele’s track.
He said his firm would work this week to ensure radio and television broadcasters and streaming services were alerted to the ruling.
Sony Music Entertainment Brazil said it did “not have a statement at this time” and Universal Music Brazil did not respond to a request for comment.
Adele was also accused by Turkish music fans of plagiarism in “Million years Ago” back in 2015.
They claimed its tune was similar to one in a 1985 song by a Kurdish singer, Ahmet Kaya, called “Acilara Tutunmak” (“Clinging to Pain”).
The superstar was seen weeping on stage last month as she said farewell to her fans ahead of a break from music after her two-year show ended.
She welled up several times during her final two-hour show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Saturday and admitted: “I’m f****** crying again.
“For f***’s sake. I have been crying all day.”
“I’m not doing anything else. I’m actually sing myself about what I’m going to do.
“I don’t have any f***ing plans. I guess I’ll just day-drink.
“I just dunno when I want to next come on stage. And it’s time to move on.
“It’s time for the next chapter and it’s time for the next season of my life.”
Famous song rows
ADELE is not the first artist to be involved in a plagiarism row.
Earlier this year pop star Miley Cyrus was accused of copying Bruno Mars’ hit “When I Was Your Man” in her number-one single “Flowers.”
The lawsuit said that “Flowers” duplicates “numerous melodic, harmonic and lyrical elements” of Mars’ song.
In 2022, a band called Artikal Sound System accused Dua Lipa of ripping off their song in her 2020 hit Levitating.
A US federal judge dismissed a lawsuit.
Previously, singer Lana Del Rey said Brit band Radiohead sued her over similarities between her song, Get Free, and their hit Creep.
The dispute was later settled.
In 2022, Ed Sheeran won a High Court copyright battle over his 2017 hit Shape of You.
He had been accused of plagiarising the 2015 song Oh Why by Sami Chokri.
A lawsuit accusing Taylor Swift of copying lyrics in her 2014 No 1 hit Shake It Off was later dropped.
Two songwriters initially claimed the track was similar to the 3LW song Playas Gon’ Play.