In a surprising turn of events, a beloved Adele song is on the brink of being banned worldwide. This decision stems from a Brazilian judge’s order to pull the song from all streaming services across the globe.

The situation unfolded in 2021 when composer Toninho Geraes accused Adele of plagiarizing one of his renowned tracks. Geraes contended that the 36-year-old singer borrowed from his song titled ‘Mulheres’ [‘Women’], originally released in 1995 and performed by Martinho da Vila.

Labeling it as a ‘landmark for Brazilian music,’ Geraes and his legal team have claimed that his composition has often been an inspiration for several successful international hits. At the heart of the dispute is a song from Adele’s 2015 album, 25, which features a captivating guitar melody that Geraes claims is his own.

In addition to seeking compensation for lost royalties, Geraes has demanded $160,000 as moral damages related to Adele’s song, ‘Million Years Ago.’ In a conversation with the BBC, he expressed, “If there is justice, I believe I should receive compensation for the success this song has reaped. While our aim is to secure public reparations, my intention was never to publicly shame Adele.”

On December 13th, Judge Victor Torres formalized the injunction in Rio de Janeiro. He instructed Adele’s labels, Sony and Universal, to cease all forms of use, reproduction, editing, distribution, or commercialization of ‘Million Years Ago,’ whether through physical means or digital platforms, including streaming services.

To enforce compliance, the injunction stipulates a hefty $8,000 fine for Universal and Sony’s Brazilian subsidiaries should they fail to adhere to this order. The companies, however, retain the right to appeal the decision.

This legal drama sparks a significant conversation around creativity, inspiration, and intellectual property in the music world, leaving many fans and observers alike pondering the implications.