Apple has met a lot of criticism from musicians recently over concerns that it would not pay artists during a three-month free trial period it is offering to customers to sample its new streaming service. Among those who were very vocal about the company's decision is Taylor Swift, and on Sunday, June 21, the "Shake it Off" singer posted an open letter to Apple on her Tumblr account, explaining why she refused to stream her latest album "1989" on the service.
In the post, the 25-year-old artist said she's sure that by now, everyone is aware that Apple is offering a 3-month trial period for anyone who signs up for the new service but says that she's not sure that everyone knows about the company's decision not to pay the writers, producers, or artists for three months.
"I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company," she wrote.
The "Blank Space" singer said that this is not all about her — this is about the new artists or bands who have just released their first song and will not be paid for their efforts.
"This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt," she continued.
Swift then went on to say that these were not the sentiments of a "spoiled, petulant child," rather, she was just echoing what every artist, writer, and producer in her social circles are saying and who are hesitant to speak about the issue in public because of their respect and admiration for the Cupertino-based company.
After Swift's open letter was posted, Buzzfeed News reported that several hours later, Apple's Senior Vice President Eddy Cue has had a change of heart and confirmed to the website that Apple will be paying for the rights to stream music throughout the trial period.
The Apple boss made the announcement via Twitter on June 22 and wrote, "#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer's free trial period."
Cue told Re/code that he and Apple CEO Tim Cook decided to make the change on Sunday and that he reached out to the singer and let her know that they heard her concerns and that they were making changes.
Swift appeared to be happy about the company's decision as she tweeted an hour after Cue's announcement, "I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us."
