TORONTO – Independent music labels who were concerned about Apple’s plan to skip out on paying royalties to artists and record labels during a three-month free trial of Apple Music have reached an agreement with the tech giant.
A number of prominent indie music labels – including Beggars Group, which represents artists like U.K. pop star Adele – announced Wednesday they are happy with the changes to Apple’s terms and will support the deal.
“Over the last few days we have had increasingly fruitful discussions with Apple. We are now delighted to say that we are happy to endorse the deal with Apple Music as it now stands, and look forward to being a big part of a very exciting future,” said Beggars Group founder Martin Mills in a press release.
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Apple announced Sunday that it will pay royalties to artists and record labels for music played during a free, three-month trial of its new streaming music service following public criticism from pop superstar Taylor Swift.
Apple had already agreed to share revenue from paid subscriptions to the new Apple Music service, which will cost $10 a month.
But Swift said she would withhold her latest album from the service because Apple wasn’t planning to pay artists and labels directly for the use of their music during the free, introductory period.
“We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation,” Swift wrote in an open letter posted on her Tumblr page.
READ MORE: ‘To Apple, Love Taylor’ – Swift blasts Apple Music in open letter
Independent record label founder Allen Kovac had planned to remove music by his artists from iTunes a week ahead of the launch of Apple Music.
Kovac, whose labels are home to performers ranging from Motley Crue to Blondie, also changed his mind after Apple decided it would pay artists its free trial.
Indie labels including Finetunes, Tommy Boy and Secretly Group all issued statements through the Worldwide Independent Network Thursday, announcing their commitment to the new streaming service.
“Apple listened to our community and then revised its music service agreement, demonstrating that it is committed to treating fairly all creators – labels, artists and songwriters,” read a statement from Secretly Group founder Darius Van Arman.
Swift has yet to announce whether or not she will make her 1989 album available on Apple Music.
Apple Music will launch on June 30.
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