Even Apple can’t defy the whims of Taylor Swift. The electronics giant announced that it will make sure that artists are paid during the Apple Music three-month trial period.
Over the weekend, Swift penned an open letter, explaining why she would not put her album, 1989, on the new streaming service. She claims that Apple would not be paying artists during a three-month trial period for listeners. Swift previously rallied against Spotify, claiming that the royalties that service pays are not enough.
Since Apple likely didn’t want to end up with no Swift music at all - like what happened to Spotify - Apple executive Eddy Cue tweeted that they heard Swift’s demands.
“Apple will always make sure that artist are paid #iTunes #AppleMusic,” Cue wrote. “#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period.”
Cue added, “We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple.”
Cue also told Billboard that he actually called Swift up personally and that other artists were also concerned about being paid for music streamed during the trial.
"I let her know that we heard her concerns and are making the changes," Cue told the magazine. "We have a long relationship with Taylor, so I wanted her to hear directly from us."
Swift later tweeted that she is “elated and relieved” that Apple listed to her concerns.
Apple Music was officially unveiled earlier this month. After the three-month trial, users do have to pay at least $9.99 a month. Unlike Spotify, it does not have a free, ad-supported version.
image courtesy of Roger Wong/INFphoto.com