Video streaming service Vimeo’s repositioning as a largely B2B-focused operation seemed to be a positive thing for artists and labels, giving them a white-label alternative to YouTube for putting out their videos. However, in Italy there are ructions between Vimeo and music rightsholders, and they have now led to a lawsuit coordinated by global labels body the IFPI, Italian national body Fimi and anti-piracy organisation FPM.
“The action is based on Vimeo’s failure to prevent unlicensed music appearing on its platform,” claimed the IFPI in its announcement of the legal action, with CEO Frances Moore elaborating. “Vimeo has fallen short of its obligation as an online content sharing service to take effective steps to prevent unlicensed music from being made available on its site. Significant amounts of unlicensed music are being uploaded and reuploaded to its service.”
The action comes shortly after Vimeo was valued at more than $5bn in a $300m funding round. Earlier this week, the company published financial results revealing revenues of $89.4m in the first quarter of 2021, with plans to go public later this month. The timing of the legal action is possibly not a coincidence.
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