Go Taylor! Swifty’s Plea For Fair Pay To Artists Is Granted By Apple Music

Go Taylor! Swifty's Plea For Fair Pay For Artists Is Granted By Apple Music

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by Contributor |
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Taylor Swift isn't afraid to speak out when it comes to her rights as an artist, and her latest pleas to Apple Music have paid off. Taylor took to Tumblr to post an open letter objecting to a three-month free streaming service - launching June 30 - which would mean artists went unpaid for plays of their tracks.

Taylor insisted that her album 1989 would therefore not feature as part of the offer, explaining to her fans: "I'm sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months," Swift explained. "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company."

She continued, "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."

It was a point well made as she concluded: "We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."

While Taylor was the one to get the ball rolling, it wasn't long before her posse of friends and fellow music artists began back her. Bleachers singer Jack Antanoff - and BF to Taylor's close pal Lena Dunham - was fast to post her piece to Twitter, calling it "Powerful and important." While Elvis Costello chirped in "@TaylorSwift13 A word from our future President. Right on. You tell ‘em, girl."

And it wasn't long before Apple caught on to their sentiments and changed its tune, with Apple vice president Eddy Cue writing on a string of tweets, saying: "We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Apple will always make sure that artist are paid. #AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer's free trial period." The news was posted publically following a formal phone call to Taylor herself.

In response, Swift tweeted her 59.2 million followers: "I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us."

This isn't the first time Taylor has stood up for her right to royalties - she refused to allow her tracks to be streamed on Spotify for the same reason. It's just another reason we're #TeamTaylor.

Gallery

Taylor Swift Look Book

Taylor Swift in LA, 14 January 20151 of 112

Taylor Swift in LA, 14 January 2015

Taylor Swift in Jenny Packham at InStyle And Warner Bros. 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party, 11 January 20152 of 112

Taylor Swift in Jenny Packham at InStyle And Warner Bros. 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party, 11 January 2015

Taylor Swift in New York, 3 January 20153 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 3 January 2015

Taylor Swift performing on New Year's Eve 2015 In Times Square, 31 December 20144 of 112

Taylor Swift performing on New Year's Eve 2015 In Times Square, 31 December 2014

Taylor Swift in New York, 26 December 20145 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 26 December 2014

Taylor Swift In New York City, 24 December 20146 of 112

Taylor Swift In New York City, 24 December 2014

Taylor Swift In New York City, 22 December 20147 of 112

Taylor Swift In New York City, 22 December 2014

Taylor Swift In New York, 19 December 20148 of 112

Taylor Swift In New York, 19 December 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 15 December 20149 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 15 December 2014

Taylor Swift at Billboard Women In Music Luncheon, 12 December 201410 of 112

Taylor Swift at Billboard Women In Music Luncheon, 12 December 2014

Taylor Swift in Reem Acra at Z100s Jingle Ball 2014, 12 December 201411 of 112

Taylor Swift in Reem Acra at Z100s Jingle Ball 2014, 12 December 2014

Tayloor Swift at Z100's Jingle Ball 2014 Presented By Goldfish Puffs, 10 December 201412 of 112

Tayloor Swift at Z100's Jingle Ball 2014 Presented By Goldfish Puffs, 10 December 2014

Taylor Swift in New York, 11 December 201413 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 11 December 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 10 December 201414 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 10 December 2014

Taylor Swift in Sachin & Babi at the Jingle Bell Ball, 7 December 201415 of 112

Taylor Swift in Sachin & Babi at the Jingle Bell Ball, 7 December 2014

Taylor Swift in Romona Keveza at KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2014, Los Angeles, 5 December 201416 of 112

Taylor Swift in Romona Keveza at KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2014, Los Angeles, 5 December 2014

Taylor Swift at KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2014 Powered by LINE, 5 December 201417 of 112

Taylor Swift at KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2014 Powered by LINE, 5 December 2014

Taylor Swift at The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, 2 December 201418 of 112

Taylor Swift at The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, 2 December 2014

Taylor Swift at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, 2 December 201419 of 112

Taylor Swift at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, 2 December 2014

Taylor Swift at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show - Pink Carpet Arrivals, 2 December 201420 of 112

Taylor Swift at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show - Pink Carpet Arrivals, 2 December 2014

Taylor Swift at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show - After Party Arrivals, 2 December 201421 of 112

Taylor Swift at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show - After Party Arrivals, 2 December 2014

Tylor Swift in Michael Kors at the American Music Awards, 23 November 201422 of 112

Tylor Swift in Michael Kors at the American Music Awards, 23 November 2014

Tayloor Swift at the American Music Awards , 23 November 201423 of 112

Tayloor Swift at the American Music Awards , 23 November 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 14 November 201424 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 14 November 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 13 November 201425 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 13 November 2014

Taylor Swift in New York, 12 November 201426 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 12 November 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 30 October 201427 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 30 October 2014

Taylor Swift at SiriusXM's 'Town Hall', 29 October 201428 of 112

Taylor Swift at SiriusXM's 'Town Hall', 29 October 2014

Taylor Swift in New York, 28 October 201429 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 28 October 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 28 October 201430 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 28 October 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 27 October 201431 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 27 October 2014

Taylor Swift at ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' , 23 October 201432 of 112

Taylor Swift at ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' , 23 October 2014

Taylor Swift in Los Angeles, 21 October 201433 of 112

Taylor Swift in Los Angeles, 21 October 2014

Taylor Swift, 8 October 201434 of 112

Taylor Swift, 8 October 2014

Taylor Swift in Paris, 7 October 201435 of 112

Taylor Swift in Paris, 7 October 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 3 October 201436 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 3 October 2014

Taylor Swift at iHeartRadio Music Festival, 19 September 201437 of 112

Taylor Swift at iHeartRadio Music Festival, 19 September 2014

Taylor Swift performing at iHeartRadio Music Festival, 19 September 201438 of 112

Taylor Swift performing at iHeartRadio Music Festival, 19 September 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 16 September 201439 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 16 September 2014

Taylor Swift in New York, 15 September 201440 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 15 September 2014

Taylor Swift, 15 September 201441 of 112

Taylor Swift, 15 September 2014

Taylor Swift at 'Deutscher Radiopreis 2014', 4 September 201442 of 112

Taylor Swift at 'Deutscher Radiopreis 2014', 4 September 2014

Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards, 24 August 201443 of 112

Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards, 24 August 2014

Taylor Swift at Yahoo Taping, 14 August 201444 of 112

Taylor Swift at Yahoo Taping, 14 August 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 14 August 201445 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 14 August 2014

Taylor Swift at Late Night with Seth Meyers, 13 August 201446 of 112

Taylor Swift at Late Night with Seth Meyers, 13 August 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 12 August 201447 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 12 August 2014

Taylor Swift at 'The Giver' New York Premiere, 11 August 201448 of 112

Taylor Swift at 'The Giver' New York Premiere, 11 August 2014

Taylor Swift at the Teen Choice Awards, 10 August 201449 of 112

Taylor Swift at the Teen Choice Awards, 10 August 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 6 August 201450 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 6 August 2014

Taylor Swift in New York, 1 August 201451 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 1 August 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 30 July 201452 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 30 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 24 July 201453 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 24 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 22 July 201454 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 22 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 21 July 201455 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 21 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City , 18 July  201456 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City , 18 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 16 July 201457 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 16 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 14 July 201458 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 14 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York , 11 July 201459 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York , 11 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York City, 9 July 201460 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York City, 9 July 2014

Taylor Swift in New York, 7 July 201461 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 7 July 2014

Taylor Swift wearing Top Shop in New York, 2 July 201462 of 112

Taylor Swift wearing Top Shop in New York, 2 July 2014

Taylor Swift at the 'Charles James- Beyond Fashion' Costume Institute Gala, 5 May 201463 of 112

Taylor Swift at the 'Charles James- Beyond Fashion' Costume Institute Gala, 5 May 2014

Taylor Swift seen arriving at the after party for Saturday Night Live, 13 Apri 201464 of 112

Taylor Swift seen arriving at the after party for Saturday Night Live, 13 Apri 2014

Taylor Swift at the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 6 April 201465 of 112

Taylor Swift at the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 6 April 2014

Taylor Swift at the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 6 April 201466 of 112

Taylor Swift at the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 6 April 2014

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter, 2 March 201467 of 112

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter, 2 March 2014

Taylor Swift at The Weinstein Company's Academy Award party, 1 March  201468 of 112

Taylor Swift at The Weinstein Company's Academy Award party, 1 March 2014

Taylor Swift attends the Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2014 Pre-GRAMMY Gala at The Beverly Hilton, 25 January 201469 of 112

Taylor Swift attends the Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2014 Pre-GRAMMY Gala at The Beverly Hilton, 25 January 2014

Taylor Swift attends the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, 12 January 201470 of 112

Taylor Swift attends the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, 12 January 2014

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2014 InStyle And Warner Bros. 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, 12 January 201471 of 112

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2014 InStyle And Warner Bros. 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, 12 January 2014

Taylor Swift in Stella McCartney at Kensington Palace for the Centrepoint Winter Whites Gala, 26 November 201372 of 112

Taylor Swift in Stella McCartney at Kensington Palace for the Centrepoint Winter Whites Gala, 26 November 2013

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2013 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A., 24 November 201373 of 112

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2013 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A., 24 November 2013

Taylor Swift attends the Weinstein Company's holiday party at RivaBella, 21 November 201374 of 112

Taylor Swift attends the Weinstein Company's holiday party at RivaBella, 21 November 2013

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab at the 47th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena, 6 November 201375 of 112

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab at the 47th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena, 6 November 2013

Taylor Swift in Houghton, Honored As 2013 Songwriter Artist Of The Year By The Nashville Songwriters Association International, 13 October 201376 of 112

Taylor Swift in Houghton, Honored As 2013 Songwriter Artist Of The Year By The Nashville Songwriters Association International, 13 October 2013

Taylor Swift in Reem Acra at Romeo And Juliet premiere, 24 September 201377 of 112

Taylor Swift in Reem Acra at Romeo And Juliet premiere, 24 September 2013

Taylor Swift in Herveu0301 Leu0301ger By Max Azria at the MTV VMAs, 25 August 201378 of 112

Taylor Swift in Hervé Léger By Max Azria at the MTV VMAs, 25 August 2013

Taylor Swift in Emilio Pucci at The Fragrance Foundation Awards, 12 June 201379 of 112

Taylor Swift in Emilio Pucci at The Fragrance Foundation Awards, 12 June 2013

Taylor Swift in New York, 17 January 201580 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, 17 January 2015

Taylor Swift in Zuhair Murad at the Billboard Music Awards, 19 May 201381 of 112

Taylor Swift in Zuhair Murad at the Billboard Music Awards, 19 May 2013

Taylor Swift in J Mendel at Met Gala, 6 May 201382 of 112

Taylor Swift in J Mendel at Met Gala, 6 May 2013

Taylor Swift in Dolce & Gabbana at the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards , April 201383 of 112

Taylor Swift in Dolce & Gabbana at the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards , April 2013

Taylor Swift in J Mendel at Grammy Awards, February 201384 of 112

Taylor Swift in J Mendel at Grammy Awards, February 2013

Taylor Swift Kaufman Franco at 40 Principales Awards, Madrid, January 201385 of 112

Taylor Swift Kaufman Franco at 40 Principales Awards, Madrid, January 2013

Taylor Swift in Donna Karan at the Golden Globe Awards, January 201386 of 112

Taylor Swift in Donna Karan at the Golden Globe Awards, January 2013

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab at NRJ Music Awards 2013, January 201387 of 112

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab at NRJ Music Awards 2013, January 2013

Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren at People's Choice Awards, January 201388 of 112

Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren at People's Choice Awards, January 2013

Taylor Swift in Oscar de la Renta at the Ripple of Hope Gala, December 201289 of 112

Taylor Swift in Oscar de la Renta at the Ripple of Hope Gala, December 2012

Taylor Swift in New York, December 201290 of 112

Taylor Swift in New York, December 2012

Taylor Swift in Kate Spade at the Kiis FM Jungle Ball, December 201291 of 112

Taylor Swift in Kate Spade at the Kiis FM Jungle Ball, December 2012

Taylor Swift at the Jingle Ball 2012, 7 December 201292 of 112

Taylor Swift at the Jingle Ball 2012, 7 December 2012

Taylor Swift turning on the lights at Westfield, November 201293 of 112

Taylor Swift turning on the lights at Westfield, November 2012

Taylor Swift performing at the MTV EMAs, November 201294 of 112

Taylor Swift performing at the MTV EMAs, November 2012

Taylor Swift in J Mendel at the MTV EMAs, November 201295 of 112

Taylor Swift in J Mendel at the MTV EMAs, November 2012

Taylor Swift at the ARIA Awards in Sydney, 29 November 201296 of 112

Taylor Swift at the ARIA Awards in Sydney, 29 November 2012

Taylor Swift on The US X Factor, 15 November 201297 of 112

Taylor Swift on The US X Factor, 15 November 2012

Taylor Swift at Westfield Shopping Centre, 6 November 201298 of 112

Taylor Swift at Westfield Shopping Centre, 6 November 2012

Taylor Swift in Jenny Packham at the CMA Awards, 1 November 201299 of 112

Taylor Swift in Jenny Packham at the CMA Awards, 1 November 2012

Taylor Swift at the CMA Awards Show, 1 November 2012100 of 112

Taylor Swift at the CMA Awards Show, 1 November 2012

Taylor Swift at the Radio 1 Teen Awards, October 2012101 of 112

Taylor Swift at the Radio 1 Teen Awards, October 2012

Taylor Swift at her Red CD launch party, October 2012102 of 112

Taylor Swift at her Red CD launch party, October 2012

Taylor Swift at the ABC Studios in New York, 22 October 2012103 of 112

Taylor Swift at the ABC Studios in New York, 22 October 2012

Taylor Swift in London, 4 October 2012104 of 112

Taylor Swift in London, 4 October 2012

Taylor Swift shopping in New York, September 2012105 of 112

Taylor Swift shopping in New York, September 2012

Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Awards, September 2012106 of 112

Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Awards, September 2012

Taylor Swift cycling in New York, August 2012107 of 112

Taylor Swift cycling in New York, August 2012

Taylor Swift in Reiss at the BBC teen awards, November 2010108 of 112

Taylor Swift in Reiss at the BBC teen awards, November 2010

Taylor Swift in Kaufman Franco at the Grammys, January 2010109 of 112

Taylor Swift in Kaufman Franco at the Grammys, January 2010

Taylor Swift, 2007110 of 112

Taylor Swift, 2007

Taylor Swift at the CMAs, 2007111 of 112

Taylor Swift at the CMAs, 2007

Taylor Swift at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, May 2006112 of 112

Taylor Swift at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, May 2006

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