Apple Music has announced that it will pay artist during the three month free trial granted to users. Apple came to this decision following an open Letter Taylor Swift posted on her Tumblr account claiming she would not put her album 1989 on the site unless the policy changed.
On June 30, Apple will launch their new streaming service, Apple Music – created to complete with current services such as Spotify. Apple plans to feature exclusive content and originally planned to pay artists after 90 days in the hopes of having more appeal. While Apple has every right to create a streaming service, The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission were looking into Apple’s unethical tactics to take down competitors.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre frontman Anton Newcombe was one of the first artist to call Apple out via Twitter when he claimed Apple threatened to take down his music if he did not adhere to the new royalty policy. Newcombe and other artists discovered Apple’s plans after the contract for Apple Music was leaked online. The leaks lead to number of complications including The Association of Independent Music’s decision not to support Apple Music.
Despite this, it seems that Swifts open letter on the controversy has officially saved the day. According to Rolling Stone, Apple’s Senior Vice President Eddy Cue stated in a series of tweets:
Below check out Taylor Swift’s full letter to Apple Music.
To Apple, Love Taylor
I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.
I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. 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.
These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.
I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the 3 month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.
Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.
But I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
Taylor
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