In a striking legal decision, the Justice Tribunal of Pernambuco (TJPE) has ordered Brazilian singer Gusttavo Lima to pay R$ 70,000 for moral damages to an individual whose real phone number was mentioned in his hit song "Bloqueado." The ruling comes as a consequence of complaints regarding the severe disruptions the song created for the number's owner, who faced incessant calls and messages after the song's release in 2021.
The unanimous ruling from the tribunal was published on March 18, 2025, by the Second Civil Chamber and centers on Lima's mention of the complete phone number, excluding the area code (DDD). The decision was led by Justice Alberto Nogueira Virgínio, who emphasized that the reference to the number constituted a violation of personal rights, infringing upon the privacy and tranquility of the aggrieved party.
According to the court's findings, the individual began experiencing an overwhelming volume of communications starting in August 2021, after the song gained popularity. This barrage of unwanted contact interfered with their professional life, leading them to seek legal recourse against the singer.
In the court's text, it was stated, "The mention of the phone number directly constitutes a violation of personality rights, especially the tranquility and privacy of the plaintiff, configuring compensable moral damage." This ruling marks a significant moment in Brazilian law, where the balance of artistic freedom against individual rights is increasingly scrutinized.
Gusttavo Lima's evaluation of the situation has revealed a broader pattern, as this is not the first time he has faced legal repercussions due to the song. In 2022, similar cases were reported, with individuals from Paraná and Minas Gerais also successfully suing for moral damages over the same issue.
As Lima's legal team argued in defense of the initial ruling, they claimed that the R$ 70,000 compensation was excessive for the situation's gravity and that the singer should not bear the full brunt of the consequences arising from a randomly chosen number within the lyrics. "The composers are the ones who created the work and inserted a random number in the stanzas without indicating whose it is or the area code," they claimed, expressing intent to appeal the verdict.
Despite these arguments, the TJPE rejected the appeal for a reduced compensation amount, insisting that the original R$ 70,000 was appropriate considering Lima's economic capacity, the severity of the public disruption caused, and the need to discourage similar future actions by artists.
In an interview, Lima remarked on the surprising reception his political aspirations had received in Brazil; however, recent family opposition influenced his decision to withdraw from the upcoming Brazil presidential elections in 2026. He explained that familial reservations weighed heavily on him, despite expressing a desire to maintain a political avenue for the future.
As Gusttavo Lima navigates these legal and personal challenges, the long-standing implications of his case reflect a growing tension within the cultural landscape of Brazil—a nation where artistic expression and personal privacy increasingly collide. His situation is emblematic of new scrutiny artists may face as they attempt to navigate the complex waters of creativity and responsibility.
The recent judgment regarding "Bloqueado" raises important questions: At what point does artistic license cross into potential harm against individuals? The outcome of cases like this may set significant precedents in how future works are created and consumed, compelling artists to think critically about the implications of what they release.
In the end, while Lima may continue moving forward in his career, the lessons from this legal saga may shape the way musicians approach their work—considering not only their creative instincts but also the potential real-world consequences that could arise from seemingly casual lyrics.
