Spotify might stand to learn something from Apple in how to negotiate between one of the biggest players in the polarizing streaming debate. Earlier this month Taylor Swift penned an open letter to Apple Music — similar to the pointing out that the reason she pulled her catalog from Daniel Ek’s rival— pointing out that the streaming service “will not be paying writers, producers, or artists” during its free three-month trial period.
In response, Apple senior vice president of internet services and software Eddy Cue took to Twitter late Sunday night (June 21) to announce that artists would, in fact, be paid during that time.
Apple will always make sure that artist are paid #iTunes #AppleMusic
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
#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
In an interview with Billboard, Cue said, “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.”
As for the cost of such an offer, he said Apple would take care of it. “We’re certainly paying for it, yes,” he said. “We’re all in.”