We recently reported on mixed reaction from eminent artists towards Apple Music’s free-trial policy regarding payments. The company was trying to negotiate deals with record labels and artists to pay them 71.5% revenue share which is higher than the industry standard while paying nothing during the three month free-trial of the service.
Taylor Swift on her tumblr blog posted details about why she wouldn’t let Apple stream her latest album 1989 on Apple Music. She had many words to praise Apple for “innovation and pushing the right boundaries” however, she clearly termed Apple Music’s policy of non-payment during trial period as “unfair”.
This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs.
To Apple, Love Taylor http://t.co/GN9jiRkqlj
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 21, 2015
It didn’t take much time for Eddy Cue, Apple’s SVP of Internet Services, to reply to Taylor’s tweet:
Apple will always make sure that artist are paid #iTunes #AppleMusic
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
Apple announced the change in policy on Twitter regarding Apple Music payments to artists and record labels during the free-trial period. The company has now decided to pay music owners per stream during the free-trail.
On one hand this move is being praised by everyone in the music industry while on the other, it raises questions about Apple’s ability to negotiate better deals with content providers in the future.
I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015
Now, that Apple will pay every artist during the free-trial we can expect the collection of music available at the launch of Apple Music to improve drastically.
What do you think about Apple’s change of policy? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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