Apple Music Takes It’s Cue From Taylor Swift and the Indies

Taylor Swift is the Joan of Arc for independent musicians and young songwriters who has helped to convince Apple Music to change their policy prior to the Apple Music launch on June 30th.

The original plan prior to Sunday’s social network back and forth between Taylor Swift and Eddie Cue, was that Apple would not pay any song royalty rights to artists, etc. during the 90 day trial period of Apple Music from June 30th through September 30th.

It was a bad business decision on Apple’s part. They had not budged on that decision since the Apple Music product announcement on June 8th. The blowback on the refusal of Apple Music to compensate artists has been significant and loud. There have been several independent music organizations writing petitions expressing their dismay with Apple about their unwillingness to pay artists royalties due during the 90 day trial period.

It took Taylor Swift who is a music artist with significant clout to sway the executive team at Apple. Personally I wondered when Apple Music would come to their senses about this ill executed decision on their part.

I mean after all Apple says it values music but not paying artists for the first 90 days of the trial devalues music and the artists who are entitled to compensation for their art. Spotify, TIDAL and other music streaming services pay music artists during the trial period. Apple chose to be rogue and exert its influence by not paying artists during a trial period. They were really coming across as we are Apple you are not.

Bravo Taylor Swift, once again you show sound judgment when it comes to streaming music and what its business model must become.

I’m glad Eddie Cue and Apple Music management changed their tune on this important matter. It’s a game changer for Apple Music for those of us who care about the artists and their future well-being.

Based upon Eddie Cue and the Apple Music executive team decision I will now trial Apple Music instead of letting it lie dormant for the first 90 days.

Artists matter.