Apparently Vimeo has gotten EMI’s attention:

“Three EMI Music labels have sued video Web site Vimeo for copyright infringement. Vimeo allows users to upload their own videos in a manner similar to YouTube. The suit, filed by Capitol, Caroline, and Virgin Records, said that many of these user-generated videos include their music without permission.

“The lawsuit is about a commercial, for-profit venture that has built a business by reproducing, adapting, performing, and distributing works that it knows contain plaintiff’s copyrighted recordings, and then knowingly profiting from the draw created by making these  works available for free to millions of its users,” according to the suit, which was posted by NewTeeVee.”

Keep in mind that permission is needed to use copyrighted music on your web content, whether it is hosted on your site or on a third party site like Vimeo. Getting permission to webcast or stream your performances of copyrighted music on your website is pretty simple. All you need is a WORSHIPcast license, which provides churches and ministries with internet performance rights for over 16 million songs, both Christian and secular. Using original recordings of copyrighted songs is more difficult and you will need to contact each recording’s owner to secure these rights.

As the article indicates, the consequences of failing to get permission can be severe:

“Capitol, Caroline, and Virgin are suing for five counts of copyright infringement as well as unfair competition. They are asking for up to $150,000 per violation, injunctive relief, and any other damages the court finds appropriate.”