Apple agrees to pay musicians during free trial

Los Angeles: Apple Inc. has announced it will pay labels for rights to stream their music, just a day after pop star Taylor Swift slammed the company for its three-month free trial. In a tweet, senior vice president of internet services and software Eddy Cue wrote that Apple would pay artists during the 90-day period.

Calling the trial “shocking, disappointing and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company,” Swift, 25, had written in an open letter she would not release her latest album “1989” on Apple Music streaming service. Swift explained that Apple’s planned three-month free trial for the service, during which labels will not be paid for music sales, was keeping her from providing the album.

“We know how astronomically successful Apple has been, and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the three-month trial period... even if it is free for the fans trying it out.” She added that she is able to support herself and her team on live performances, but she is looking out for newer artists, songwriters and producers who are not yet as financially successful.

“These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call. “We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation,” she said.