Birgit Schwan
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Russia's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow bomb blast
Well, I've heard about this alleged plagiarism for years. I mean, people have been sending these melodies, even mixed versions of them put together for a few years from Brazil. The songwriter Toninho Gerais, he wrote that song for probably Brazil's number one samba singer, Martinho da Vila. It was launched in 1995 and it was a big hit in the mid-90s.
Global News Podcast
Russia's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow bomb blast
So I imagine many people, when they heard Adele's song, they said, oh, that sounds similar. But of course, that can happen in music. There are many cases where there's just a coincidence. The melody is similar. It's quite a simple melody. But what this songwriter has been saying is that they approached Adele.
Global News Podcast
Russia's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow bomb blast
They tried to reach a deal for compensation and for some of the copyrights, and they didn't get any reply from her or from the label. And that's why they decided to go to court.
Global News Podcast
Russia's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow bomb blast
I was surprised with that. And what's been said in Brazil, the local media, is that Brazil is a signatory of the Berne Convention that protects copyright. So as one of the signatories, I think it's 180, 181 countries. If one of the countries issues a ban, a judge, the others have to follow.
Global News Podcast
Russia's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow bomb blast
And the way they will try to enforce that is by imposing a fine on the record label, Adele's record label, every time someone across the world, in New Zealand, in Australia, in Zambia, anywhere, if they hear this song being played or downloaded, they could issue a fine. I don't know how effective that will be, but it's quite strong.
Global News Podcast
Russia's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow bomb blast
They can appeal. In Brazilian courts, a judge can issue an injunction and someone else a day later can just void that. But it just highlights the case that many people who are not in Brazil are probably unaware of. I mean, it's a very similar song, but that doesn't mean anything. And it's going to be decided by the experts or maybe in an agreement.
Global News Podcast
Russia's chemical weapons chief killed in Moscow bomb blast
You can see and read. This is an E.