Apple Reverses Policy on Apple Music, Will Pay Artists During Free Trial Period

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Posted June 22, 2015 at 3:59am by Shalom Levytam

Apple has reversed course on its controversial policy asking artists to foot the bill for Apple Music's three month free trial.

The decision follows an open letter to Apple from Taylor Swift saying, "We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."

Apple SVP Eddy Cue took to Twitter moments ago to announce the company's shift in policy:

Apple will always make sure that artist are paid #iTunes #AppleMusic

#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period

We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple

Notably, as part of its deal with labels, Apple had agreed to pay out higher percentages of Apple Music’s subscription revenue than industry standard. It's unclear if this decision will mean a change to those percentages.

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Apple Reverses Policy on Apple Music, Will Pay Artists During Free Trial Period

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Great! - June 23, 2015 at 4:25am

Apple should have thought of this from the start. Or did they? Which is more plausible? Apple not thinking or that this is all just an Apple and Taylor Swift marketing stunt?

Aldo - June 22, 2015 at 10:57pm

I remember Spotify and Tidal and Amazon and Netflix all giving away free trials. Nobody batted an eyelid then. Why the big hoohaa when it's Apple?

dc5327f - June 23, 2015 at 4:13am

becuz Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon paid the copyright owners even during the free trial While Apple doesnt want to. thats the BIG difference

Aldo - June 25, 2015 at 9:44am

I genuinely didn't know that. If this is true, do have any proof of this?

Where da steve - June 22, 2015 at 8:53pm

Although Apple made a right decision, i dont think they can cover their shameful comments from previous artists. Its surprising to see how Apple didnt think of these problems in the first place. Not paying artists during their free trials? Free trial is just a promo offer for their music services. Not for the artists. Man their shares will be hit hard again with this crap.

Where da steve - June 22, 2015 at 9:43pm

There are reasons why artists and songwriters tend to leave YouTube alone. First, YouTube gives a portion of ad revenue to the song owner. Second, YouTube is a free service. Unlike Apple Music, it doesn't have the same trial structure. Apple Music's 3-month trial is designed to bring in paying customers. Therefore, they should pay the song owners within their music libraries. If you made a logo for a t-shirt and Google used it on a mannequin, that's one thing. But if Apple gives out your shirts for free to promote their clothing rental service, that is different.

gamerscul9870 - June 22, 2015 at 10:39pm

I wasn't saying YouTube was untrusted; it was just an example. For Apple Music, it is a free trial period. They will eventually pay the artists anyway. Think of it as a free demo before the actual product is purchased. Besides, the t-shirt advertising example is different from these streaming service models.

Butterspider - June 22, 2015 at 3:16pm

There it is..... Now Apple can justify higher prices to cover the cost of the trial period.

Si - June 22, 2015 at 12:23pm

Publicity stunt! How much are Apple paying her to say that so they look like they are supporting the musicians.

Alberto - June 22, 2015 at 1:23pm

I would think that if it was the first time she was against the policies of a music streaming company. But, she already spoke out against Spotifys policy too and they didnt came in a happy medium

justabrake - June 22, 2015 at 11:15am

it'd be a crime if apple didn't pay these people ! it'd be like hiring someone to do work on a project but telling them they'd have to work on this for free before hand ............... of course apple has to give in the world is watching !

Mann - June 22, 2015 at 6:50am

Taylor, you go girl.

Dan - June 22, 2015 at 5:41am

Disagree, Apple will look bad if they did not compensate artists for their hard work. Taylor made a good argument wether you like her or not....

Blakealicious - June 22, 2015 at 8:34am

I agree completely @Woz this is quite ridiculous.

gamerscul9870 - June 22, 2015 at 2:01pm

Like you would judge what Jobs would possibly do. Taking orders from these guys is like finding the weak spot of improvement, it's listening to consumer demands that can help strengthen what App,e is doing thereby Apple is never weak Jobs or not, but again, what would he possibly do?

Woz - June 23, 2015 at 10:37pm

The artists aren't the customer. This is another revenue stream for them. By providing their music, they will be rewarded with significant revenue once the trial ends. This situation is really about the artists ensuring their financial interests are protected.

Great! - June 22, 2015 at 4:28am

So will Taylor Swift now tell Apple she won't accept payment cos she said she doesn't need the money? Also will she encourage other big artists to do the same? Maybe donate the takings to the Indie bands. You know, put your money where your mouth is.

stevenlacross - June 22, 2015 at 4:12am

I wasn't expecting Apple to cave in like that. Good going Apple

gamerscul9870 - June 22, 2015 at 2:02pm

This so-called cave in cause is fixed. It's listening to others to help improve what they are introducing as if consumers want bigger sized phone for example. It's improvement like this.