Apple Music Conflict Highlights the Problem of Free Music
When the Billboard chart-topping winner of seven Grammys speaks, apparently Apple listens. Apple very quickly pulled an about-face late Sunday night, with Apple VP Eddy Cue tweeting that “Apple Music will pay for artist streaming, even during customer’s free trial period.” Following this several independent label groups announced they would be signing on to Apple Music, including Worldwide Independent Network and Beggars Group.
In a blog post Future of Music Coalition CEO Casey Rae praised Swift, giving her a “high-five.” He also observed that Apple doesn’t “even need music at this point, apart from the brand benefit. So it’s pretty significant that they decided to change their policy. This will likely have a ripple effect and may end up impacting how ‘free’ is perceived on other platforms.”