Apple Music to pay artists during free trial after Taylor Swift open letter
Tech giant Apple has U-turned on its payment policy following an open letter by singer Taylor Swift who attacked plans to not pay royalties during Apple Music’s free, three-month trial.
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Apple’s senior vice president of internet software and services, Eddy Cue, acknowledged the letter in a series of tweets on Monday, saying that the company “will pay artists for streaming, even during customers’ free trial period”
We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
Cue is said to have personally phoned Swift to announce the company’s decision.
The change in tune came after Swift announced on her Tumblr page that she would be holding back her album, 1989, from Apple Music.
The new streaming service to rival Spotify launches at the end of the month, though Apple had planned not pay writers, producers and artists while customers enjoy free listening during the first three months. After that period, Apple will charge a subscription of $9.99 per month or $14.99 for families.
Swift acknowledged that Apple has been one of her best partners in selling music, but said the company’s plan was “shocking” and “disappointing”.
“Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing,” the singer said.
After hearing of the company's change in policy, the 25-year-old tweeted:
I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015
Shares in Apple were up 0.7% at $127.51 on Monday morning in New York.
“Swift’s battle with market leader Spotify is clearly something Apple’s PR department wish to avoid replicating, just as the company’s rival music streaming service gets going,” said CMC Markets analyst Jasper Lawler.