Brazilian court issues rulings regarding artists' rights and defamation

A court in Rio de Janeiro has ordered journalist Thiago Asmar and federal deputy-elect Lucas Pavanato to remove social media videos that insulted singer Caetano Veloso. The judge ruled that while Veloso is a public figure, the content crossed the line from political criticism into personal offense by labeling him a “vagabundo” and associating his views with improper financial interests related to the Lei Rouanet.

In a separate ruling, state deputy Ana Caroline Campagnolo was ordered to pay 100,000 reais in moral damages for the unauthorized use of musical works by Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil, and Djavan. The court found that the songs were used commercially and for political-ideological purposes to promote her “Clube Antifeminista” course, which violated the original terms of use. The ruling also requires the payment of revenues generated from course sales and video monetization.