Apple Reverses Course, Will Pay Artists During Apple Music Free Trial

[MacRumors]

Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, posted on Twitter tonight in response to concerns that Apple would not be paying artists during the three month free trial of Apple Music. Cue wrote that Apple will now be paying artists during the initial free trial of Apple Music, in a reversal from their previous policy.

#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer's free trial period - Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015

The most vocal criticism came earlier today from Taylor Swift, who argued that many indie artists would suffer under the plan. Cue responded specifically to Swift on Twitter and, according to

We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple - Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015

Apple Music will launch on June 30 as part of an upcoming iOS 8.4 update. After the service's free three-month trial it will cost $9.99 per month for individuals and $14.99 a month for families up to 6.

Update 4:30 AM PT: Cue confirmed to Re/code's Peter Kafka that Apple Music will pay rights holders an undisclosed amount on a per-streaming basis during the free trial period. Swift tweeted that she is "elated and relieved" about the change of course, although Cue told multiple publications that she has not yet agreed to stream top-selling album "1989" through Apple Music.

I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us. - Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015

Cue also told BuzzFeed News reporter John Paczkowski that "Taylor Swift's tweet today solidified the issue for us" and "we decided to make a change." Paczkowski says that all artists will be paid during the free trial period, although deals with publishers already on board with Apple Music stand. Cue personally called Swift to inform her of the decision and said "she was thrilled to hear from us."

Article Link: Apple Reverses Course, Will Pay Artists During Apple Music Free Trial

 

[farewelwilliams]

Reverses course? What if they did that from the beginning?

 

[rock6079]

Reverses course? What if they did that from the beginning?

Then it wouldn't be reversing course.

 

[mobutt]

Niceeeeee, respec

 

[PowerBook-G5]

Great for artists.

By the way, this is the shortest MacRumors article I've seen in years. Short and to the point. I like it.

 

[BtradI1]

Should have just paid them in the first place...

 

[Brandhouse]

Don't say, that Apple don't respond to public opinion.

 

[WhackyNinja]

Good! Indie artists will be happy!

 

[HopefulHumanist]

Great news! It'll expand the catalog for sure!

 

[iansilv]

Wow! Taylor swift just intimidated a multi-billion dollar company in to doing something!

 

[AppleFan115]

Eddy get the wallet out.

 

[iParis]

This company is wayyyyy too good for the world, haha.

Reverses course? What if they did that from the beginning?

*Attempts to decode post.*
So are you trying to say they were planning on paying them all along and were just waiting for people to get bothered by expecting to not be paid? If so, I wouldn't be surprised if they did that.

 

[roland.g]

I'm sure the indie artists will appreciate it, but the Taylor Swifts, and Metallicas of the music world, let's not pretend it's for them.

 

[Robert M.]

Well, they shut that down quick. Good for them. What's a few million in royalties to a billion dollar company? Now let's see if T. Swift does her part by placing 1989 on Apple Music.

 

[jacobh101]

Apple, Inc. = Class Act

 

[Quu]

They did the right thing, in the end.

 

[alphaswift]

Apple does the right thing.

 

[JanoschR]

Should have just paid them in the first place...

Everyone should do everything right in the first place...

 

[graywolf323]

let's see if Taylor Swift reverses course now as well, given her interactions with Spotify in the past I'd say it's up in the air

 

[JXShine]

Cant believe apple bowed down to a whiny singer.

 

[X5-452]

So I guess Taylor Swift for President?!

 

[thehenry]

Suddenly Taylor Swift is more powerful than the most profitable company in the world..

 

[MacRetina]

So we will get to listen to Taylor Swift on Apple Music?

 

[farewelwilliams]

Then it wouldn't be reversing course.

First question was rhetorical.

 

[JXShine]

let's see if Taylor Swift reverses course now as well, given her interactions with Spotify in the past I'd say it's up in the air

If she doesn't then it's more the evidence that her letter wasn't about "standing up for the little guys" like she tried to make it seem.