Photo: WENN
After Taylor Swift called it "shocking and disappointing" in an open letter, Apple have reversed their policy of not paying musicians during the three-month free trial period of their new streaming service.
News of Apple's controversial new initiative broke last week. after Brian Jonestown Massacre's Anton Newcombe hit out at them on Twitter. The musician claimed that the company threatened to remove all of his music from iTunes if he refused to comply with the non-royalty policy.
Subsequently, Taylor Swift wrote Apple an open letter explaining why she planned to hold back her album, 1989, from their new streaming service. In it, she wrote, "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company."
She continued, "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."
Now, senior Apple official Eddy Cue has tweeted to confirm that the company will now pay musicians, even during customer's free trial period.
#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
The news, and Swift's open letter, were generally met with a warm reception - though some expressed cynicism at the speed of the decision, while others pointed out that Spotify and Tidal - neither of which Swift will allow her music to be streamed on - already pays artists during free trials.
Amazing how a company as big as Apple rethought such a huge issue so quickly on a Sunday. Almost as if they knew Taylor's letter was coming!
— Peter Robinson (@Popjustice) June 22, 2015
CONTEXT: @Spotify and @TIDALHiFi already does this. https://t.co/rruG9Pv4vT
— banan peze ON DECK (@jackyalcine) June 22, 2015
Swift has a handful of UK gigs lined up for this week, including a headline performance at Hyde Park's British Summer Time festival. See full dates below. For tickets and more info, click here.
23 June Glasgow, UK The SSE Hydro
24 June Manchester, UK Arena
27 June London, UK British Summertime Hyde Park
