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Judge Orders Adele Song Pulled From Streaming Sites Over Plagiarism Suit

Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes has demanded royalties and a songwriting credit for 2015’s “Million Years Ago.”

A judge in Brazil has ruled that Adele’s 2015 song “Million Years Ago” must be pulled from global distribution—including on streaming platforms—amid an ongoing plagiarism lawsuit. A claim filed by Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes, 62, alleges that Adele copied his samba classic “Mulheres” (“Women”) and has asked for royalties, moral damages, and a songwriting credit on the track, the Independent reported. A judge issued an injunction against the Brazilian subsidies of Sony and Universal, Adele’s labels, banning them from distributing or reproducing the song. The injunction covers all global use and imposes an $8,000 fine for every “act of non-compliance.” The labels have the option to appeal the decision. Adele told the BBC in 2015 she was inspired to pen “Million Years Ago,” an acoustic tune accompanied only by guitar, after driving past Brockwell Park in south London, near where she grew up. It appears on her third studio album, 25. The song also drew accusations by fans of Ahmet Kaya of copying the Kurdish singer’s 1985 Turkish hit “Acilara Tutunmak” (“Clinging to Pain”).