Court Ruling Demands Removal of Adele’s Song in Plagiarism Dispute

A bombshell ruling in Brazil has rocked the music world, with Adele's hit “Million Years Ago” now under fire for alleged plagiarism. A Rio de Janeiro judge has ordered the global removal of Adele's song, siding with Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes in a heated legal battle against music giant Universal Music.

Geraes, a beloved figure in Brazil’s samba scene, claims Adele's 2015 track borrows heavily from his 1990s classic, “Mulheres,” a song that’s been a staple in Brazilian households for decades. His lawyers even uploaded a YouTube comparison to showcase the uncanny resemblance.

"This ruling proves Brazilian artists won’t be silenced," said Fredimio Biasotto Trotta, Geraes’ attorney. The court's decision demands Sony Music and Universal Music halt all distribution of the song across streaming platforms worldwide (global removal of Adele's song), imposing a hefty fine of 50,000 reais (around $8,080) for non-compliance.

Despite the court order for the removal of Adele’s Song, it remains available on platforms like Spotify and Deezer as Universal Music scrambles to appeal the ruling. The company insists the similarities are coincidental, calling them “accidental melodic clichés.”

But Geraes isn't backing down after the removal of Adele's song. Furious over the situation, he’s seeking over $150,000 in damages and is fighting to terminate his contract with Universal, which represents both him and Adele. “I felt very disrespected,” he said, recounting how a friend first noticed the similarities at a party in 2021.

The case could have global implications thanks to the Berne Convention, a treaty requiring other countries, including the U.S., to respect copyright rulings. For now, the spotlight remains on whether Adele and her team will face further fallout from this explosive accusation.

Will the queen of heartbreak ballads recover from this legal storm? Or will Brazil's samba icon claim victory in this whole scandal including the removal of Adele's song? Follow Pitch-Us for more information, and don't forget to check out our SALE.