Following criticism from singer Taylor Swift, Apple (AAPL) has reversed course and will now pay artists for streaming through Apple Music during customers’ free three-month trial period. Amid backlash from indie artists, labels and other musicians, Taylor Swift penned an open letter to the company on her Tumblr page Sunday entitled, ‘To Apple, Love Taylor.’ Of Apple’s initial decision not to pay writers, producers or artists during Apple Music’s trial period, she wrote, ‘I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.’ She added, ‘This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success… 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.’ By Sunday night, Apple senior vice president of Internet services and software Eddy Cue tweeted the announcement that Apple Music had changed its policy and would pay artists during the trial.
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