#TheWeeklyRoundUp - 07.05.2021

Labels file lawsuit alleging Vimeo failed to stop unlicensed music (Hypebot)

Global music industry trade group IFPI, its Italian counterpart FIMI, and the Italian anti-piracy organization FPM have coordinated a legal action on behalf of their record company members against Vimeo.

The IFPI lawsuit alleges that Vimeo failed to prevent unlicensed music from appearing on its platform.

While this action is specific to Italy, multiple sources tell Hypebot that the major labels are contemplating similar actions against Vimeo in the US and elsewhere.

Commenting on the action, IFPI Chief Executive, Frances Moore, said: “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. That is why the recording industry has taken action against Vimeo in Italy.

“Record labels invest heavily in discovering, nurturing, and promoting artists. The making available of unlicensed sound recordings harms their ability to secure a return on their investment which is crucial to their ability to invest in new artists.”

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Grammy organizers change rules after allegations of corruption (Reuters)

The organizers of music’s Grammy Awards on Friday announced an end to the so-called “secret” committees that have led to allegations that the highest honors in the industry are open to rigging.

The Recording Academy said that nominations for the next Grammy Awards in January 2022 will be selected by all of its more than 11,000 voting members, instead of by committees of 15-30 industry experts whose names were not revealed.

The Academy was slammed last year when Canadian artist The Weeknd got zero Grammy nominations, even though his critically acclaimed album "After Hours" was one of the biggest sellers of 2020.

The Weeknd, in a Twitter post last November, said "The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency."

The Recording Academy said in a statement on Friday that the changes were significant and were made "to ensure that the Grammy Awards rules and guidelines are transparent and equitable."

Allegations that the Grammy nominations process is tainted were made in a legal complaint filed in early 2019 by the former chief executive of the Recording Academy, Deborah Dugan.

At the time, the Academy dismissed as "categorically false, misleading and wrong" Dugan's claims that its members pushed artists they have relationships with. Dugan was later fired.

American pop star Halsey, also shut out of the 2021 Grammys, last year called the nominations process "elusive" and said she was "hoping for more transparency or reform."

Former One Direction singer Zayn Malik called in March for an end to "secret committees."

"I’m keeping the pressure on & fighting for transparency & inclusion. We need to make sure we are honoring and celebrating 'creative excellence' of ALL," Malik tweeted hours ahead of the 2021 Grammy Awards ceremony.

The Recording Academy on Friday also said it was adding two new Grammy categories - for best global music performance, and best Latin urban music album - bringing to 86 the total number of Grammy Awards each year.