The composer Toninho Geraes filed a complaint for plagiarism, believing that “Million Years Ago” (2015) had copied the melody of the title “Mulheres”, a success performed by the sacred monster of samba Martinho da Vila in an album released twenty years earlier , in 1995.
“This is a turning point for Brazilian Music, which, due to the richness of its melodies, its harmony and its rhythms, is often copied to compose international hits,” lawyer Fredimio told AFP on Monday. Trotta, lawyer of the Brazilian composer.
According to him, this legal decision should “dissuade” other plagiarism attempts by “parasitic profiteers”.
The Brazilian subsidiaries of Sony Music and Universal Music can appeal.
Contacted by AFP, Sony Music said it “has no press release at the moment” on this subject. Universal Music did not immediately respond.
In the complaint for plagiarism currently being analyzed by a court in Rio de Janeiro, Toninho Geraes’ defense is demanding, among other things, one million reais (around 156,000 euros) in damages.
