Corinthians risk R$10m loss in row with Tim Maia’s family

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Central do Timão

·23 de enero de 2026

Corinthians risk R$10m loss in row with Tim Maia’s family

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians has included in its list of creditors in the RCE process (Regime de Centralização de Execuções) a potential financial loss related to a legal dispute with Warner/Chappell Music and the family of singer Tim Maia. The amount indicated by the club is nearly R$ 10 million, according to information released by ESPN.

According to the document attached to the case, Corinthians classifies as a “probable loss” the sum of R$ 9,943,396.28 related to the dispute with the record label. The controversy began in 2017, when Warner, together with Tim Maia's relatives, took legal action to claim compensation for the unauthorized use of a song inspired by “Não quero dinheiro (só quero amar).”

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The case dates back to 2012, during the Club World Cup, when Corinthians was associated with TV commercials that used a melody inspired by Tim Maia's work, with adapted lyrics. The version aired said:

“All week long, I waited, to see you Corinthians, to see you play, when we love, we spare no effort, to see you play, see you play, see you play!”. The ad was shown both on television and on social media. In addition, the adapted verses were also printed on shirts worn by the club's players.

As a result, Tim Maia's estate — managed by his son, Carmelo Maia — and Warner filed a lawsuit against Corinthians in 2017. At the time, the initial amount requested was R$ 4 million, with the final amount to be determined later during the sentence liquidation phase.

In its defense, Corinthians argued that the song had been created by the fans themselves and that the videos posted on social media and advertising campaigns were produced by TV Globo. The club also claimed it was a paraphrase, which would not require prior authorization from the copyright holders. These arguments, however, were rejected by the court.

Judge Maria Honório ruled that there was a full reproduction of the most well-known part of the original song, which invalidates the claim of mere paraphrase. According to the judge, it was also established that the club economically exploited the work, including by using the excerpt on the players' shirts.

In 2023, after a favorable ruling in the case initiated in 2017, Warner filed a new lawsuit, this time for liquidation by arbitration, demanding an amount close to R$ 10 million. Corinthians is trying to overturn the claim in a case that is proceeding under seal.

Despite this, the club believes it may be able to reduce the amount to be paid. In the documentation submitted to the RCE, Corinthians mentions that a specialist expert indicated that the most appropriate amount for compensation would be R$ 4,071,698.14.

While awaiting the court's decision, the club classifies the financial risk as high. Corinthians' financial director, Emerson Piovesan, confirmed the information to ESPN. On the other hand, Carmelo, Tim Maia's son, and Warner have not commented on the situation.

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