Apple to Billboard: We are powerless before Swift

[Henry 2,374]

In an interview with Billboard, Cue elaborated that it was Swift's letter that turned him around on the issue. "When I woke up this morning and saw what Taylor had written, it really solidified that we needed a change. And so that's why we decide we will now pay artists during the trial period."

"I am elated and relieved," Swift tweeted an hour after Cue's announcement. "Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us."

Cue added that Apple had heard the same "concern from a lot of artists," noting that it was "never our intent" to not compensate artists, rather they were planning to originally negotiate a higher royalty rate, which they will stick with.

Asked if Apple is eating the cost of the 90-day trial period, Cue said, "We're certainly paying for it, yes. We're all in."

Once the decision was made by Cue and Apple CEO Tim Cook, Cue called Swift on the phone from her tour in Amsterdam. "I let her know that we heard her concerns and are making the changes. We have a long relationship with Taylor so I wanted her to hear directly from us."

Swift's reaction: "She was thrilled and very thankful and excited to see how quick we responded."

Cue emphasized the company's long history with "the music community," adding, "We have a deep respect for what they do. ...We're in this for the long term."

Dissent within that community over the free three-month trial had been mounting for weeks. On Sunday, artists from Elvis Costello to Bleachers' Jack Antonoff to Christina Perri tweeted their support for Swift's post: Costello wrote (retweeted by Swift), "A word from our future President. Right on. You tell 'em, Girl. E.C." The British indie community has been particularly vocal: On June 16, Alison Wenham, CEO of the country's Association of Independent Music, wrote in a letter to members: "The speed at which Apple has introduced their plans and its lack of consultation with the independent music sector over deal terms (despite what Jimmy Iovine might claim) has left us with the uneasy feeling that independents are being railroaded into an agreement that could have serious short-term consequences for our members’ interests." On June 10, U.S. indie-label trade organization A2IM urged its members "not feel rushed to sign Apple’s current offer." 

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6605568/apple-changes-course-after-taylor-swift-open-letter-will-pay-labels-during

Taylor ha power  

[zexion_armando 241]

Should have been more shady.

[AM98GJ 3,086]

Wow 

[PartySick 160,655]

Like I said, there's no way Apple would just not pay artists for three months  

[SlayMeToVenus 3,290]

It was probably like that from the beginning. 

I never had a doubt. 

Gaga wouldn't take part in something like that. 

[Red 98,021]

I hope Taylor stops with her personal vendetta against streaming services now   

[jorgeropero 345]

Oh my, another reason to love her... well... and expect twitter + facebook articles everywhere, lol

[HANZ 4,380]

now Taylor looks like a fool

 

[JustPokeHerFace 2,564]

Interested to see how Taylor responds. 

[Haroon 49,685]

Glad that's sorted  Otherwise we'd have quite the situation on our hands  

[SlayMeToVenus 3,290]

She retweeted them. 

[jorgeropero 345]

well, the thing now is... will she join them?

[Redstreak 6,653]

now Taylor looks like a fool

 

She was able to change an unfair rule that will now help a lot of people. How does that make her look like a fool?  

[Koreku 2,387]

The fact that apple themselves said that they DO pay artists for the 3 months makes me wonder where Taylor got the memo of artists not getting paid? Or did she randomly assume it as so and spew it out as a fact? Mess. 

edit: If apple actually changed their policy because of taylor, then ha power is real.  

[Alphaz 7,956]

watch her fanbase is growing because of this, hashtag #TaylorSaveIndieArtists

from the tweets, seems like they change the policy after Taylor exposed them