Roberto Carlos suffers new defeat at the STJ in his clash over copyright
IN SUMMARY
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Recently, the renowned singer Roberto Carlos faced yet another setback in his legal battle related to copyright. The unanimous decision of the 3rd class of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) rejected the singer’s request, together with the estate of Erasmo Carlos, to terminate contracts signed more than 50 years ago with a publisher. This dispute raises important questions about the nature and interpretation of copyright contracts in Brazil.
The renowned singer Roberto Carlos, an icon of Brazilian music, faces yet another legal setback in its fight for copyright. Recently, the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) ruled in favor of Editora Fermata, rejecting the request of the artist and the estate of Erasmo Carlos to terminate contracts dating back more than 50 years. This decision, announced on November 12th, raises important questions about the nature of copyright in Brazil and its implications for artists.
Context of the Legal Dispute
The dispute involves contracts that Roberto Carlos and Erasmo Carlos signed in the 1960s to 1980s with Editora Fermata. The artists argue that these contracts were for music publishing and that the publisher misappropriated the copyright of these songs, leading to a unilateral termination request. Roberto and Erasmo’s team argues that the original purpose of the contracts was not respected.
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STJ Decision and Arguments of the Parties
In the unanimous decision, the STJ understood that the contracts constituted a definitive assignment of rights, meaning they cannot be terminated unilaterally. Lawyer Tobias Pereira Klen, a specialist in intellectual property, explains that the name of the contract, although titled “Edition Contract”, does not change its nature, which is based on the content of the agreed provisions. Therefore, the publisher has the right to commercially exploit the works as previously agreed.
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Implications of Publishing and Assignment of Rights Agreements
According to the Copyright Law (LDA), publishing and assignment contracts are dealt with in different articles. The publishing contract, regulated by article 53, allows the publisher to reproduce and disseminate the work for a period agreed with the author, while the assignment of rights, provided for in article 50, transfers all patrimonial rights over the work to the assignee. This distinction is crucial to understanding the consequences of the STJ’s decision.
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Future Steps and Possible Resources
Following the STJ’s decision, which excluded a previously imposed fine, lawyers for Roberto Carlos and Erasmo’s estate have the option of filing “motions for clarification” to contest any contradictions or omissions in the decision. Furthermore, there is the possibility of taking the case to the Federal Supreme Court (STF), although experts consider this alternative unlikely in the current context.
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Press Coverage and Expectations
The situation is being closely monitored by the media, and the portal LeoDias He has already made attempts to contact Roberto Carlos’ team to obtain a position on the new defeat. Meanwhile, questions about jurisprudence relating to copyright and the nature of contracts continue to be debated, as Jovem Guarda figures seek a solution to their legal situation.
For more information about this dispute, you can access the links available in sources such as BNews, Mix Vale, and Crumbs.
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Comparison of Roberto Carlos’ Legal Actions
| Aspect | Description |
| Artists Involved | Roberto Carlos and estate of Erasmo Carlos |
| Objective of the Action | Termination of copyright agreements |
| Contract Period | Established over 50 years ago |
| STJ decision | Unanimous rejection of the termination request |
| Type of Contract | Contracts considered definitive assignment of rights |
| Financial Implications | Maintenance of copyright by Editora Fermata |
| Future Actions | Possible appeal to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) |
| Expert consulted | Tobias Pereira Klen, intellectual property lawyer |
| Historical Context | Relationship of more than 50 years with the music market |
The renowned singer Roberto Carlos faced a new defeat in the legal sphere, this time in the Superior Court of Justice (STJ). The artist, together with the estate of the deceased Erasmo Carlos, sought to terminate copyright contracts stipulated more than 50 years ago. However, the court unanimously ruled that the contracts constituted a definitive assignment of rights, making unilateral termination unfeasible.
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The legal battle between Roberto Carlos and Erasmo Carlos
The dispute between the two icons of Young Guard and Editora Fermata involves the search for independent commercial exploitation of its songs. Since Erasmo Carlos passed away in 2022, the legal fight has gained even more attention. The artists’ legal team argues that the contracts established musical publishing, which should not allow the publisher to fully appropriate copyrights.
The STJ decision and its effects
On November 12, the STJ proclaimed that the contracts signed with Editora Fermata are definitive, making the termination requested by Roberto and Erasmo impossible. The court maintained the understanding of previous instances, which considered contracts as a full transfer of rights. The singer’s defense maintained that, despite the name “Edition Contract”, the agreement does not change the legal content.
Languages of contractual provisions
The lawyer specializing in intellectual property, Tobias Pereira Klen, explains that the nature of the contract is delimited by internal provisions, and not by nomenclature. The Copyright Law specifies in its article 53 the functioning of publishing contracts and in its article 50 the assignment of rights, revealing the complexity involved in the topic.
Next steps in the legal dispute
The STJ’s decision resulted in the exclusion of a previously imposed fine, but did not cancel Editora Fermata’s rights to exploit the works commercially. Artists have the option to file Declaration Embargoes, but this does not change the content of the decision, it only seeks to clarify possible contradictions. Furthermore, it is possible that the case will be taken to the Federal Supreme Court (STF), although the chances are assessed as remote.
For more details about this legal battle, you can follow the news on portals such as Mirio Network and LeoDias Portal.
- Artist: Roberto Carlos
- Objective: Termination of contracts with Editora Fermata
- Year of death of Erasmo Carlos: 2022
- Decision: Unanimity in the STJ
- Type of contract: Publishing Agreement
- Claim: Inappropriate assignment of copyright
- Legal representation: Tobias Pereira Klen
- Copyright Law Article: Art. 53 and Art. 50
- Next steps: Possibility of Declaration Embargoes
- Commercial exploitation: Maintained by Editora Fermata
Case Summary
Recently, Roberto Carlos and the estate of Erasmo Carlos faced a new defeat at the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) in a case that questions the validity of copyright contracts signed more than 50 years ago. The decision of the 3rd class of the STJ, announced on November 12, reaffirms that the contracts in question imply a definitive assignment of copyright, which prevents its unilateral termination. This case highlights the importance of revisiting and understanding the nature of copyright contracts in the music industry.
The Importance of Copyright
Copyright is fundamental to protecting artists’ creations and ensuring that they are adequately compensated for the use of their works. Brazilian legislation, through the Copyright Law (LDA), distinguishes between different types of contracts that regulate the use of works, with edition and of assignment the most relevant. While the publishing contract allows the publisher to exploit the work for a specified period, the assignment transfers ownership of the rights to another holder. This distinction is crucial to understanding the STJ’s recent decision.
The Legal Context of the Case
In the case in question, Roberto and Erasmo’s defense argued that the contracts signed decades ago were not for assignment, but for publishing. However, the STJ, in its decision, emphasized that the title of the contract does not determine its nature. Therefore, even if the artists tried to reinterpret the nature of the agreements, the court’s position was based on the analysis of the contractual content and provisions.
The lawyer specializing in intellectual property, Tobias Pereira Klen, explained that the nomenclature of the contract in itself does not change the legal situation. This highlights the need for artists and their legal teams to review and understand the implications of their previous agreements.
The Implications of the Judgment
The STJ’s decision not only denied the request to terminate the contracts, but also maintained Editora Fermata’s right to commercially exploit the musical works of Roberto Carlos and Erasmo Carlos. This means that, despite the artists’ wishes, the publisher will continue to make a profit from these works, starting an important debate about the contractual balance in long-standing relationships between artists and publishers.
Additionally, the court provided an opportunity for artists to reconsider how they manage and structure their future contracts. With technology and the music industry constantly evolving, it is vital that artists stay informed about best practices and relevant legislation.
Possible Future Paths
It is still possible that Roberto Carlos’ team will take the case to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for a last attempt to reverse the decision. However, experts believe this possibility is remote. Still, this raises an important question: How can musicians protect themselves from similar situations in the future?
One solution may be to periodically review existing contracts, as well as seek appropriate legal advice throughout your career. Additionally, staying up to date with changes in copyright laws can help artists avoid unwanted legal complications.
Final Thoughts
The case of Roberto Carlos and Erasmo Carlos serves as an important warning for artists at all levels of the industry. It is vital that they understand the nature of their contracts and the impacts these decisions can have on their careers and income. The lessons learned here can help shape a fairer and more equitable landscape for music creation in Brazil.


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