Apple will pay record labels and artists .2 cent for the songs Apple Music subscribers listen to during their free three month trial period. That's in line with the rate Spotify pays for the free tier in its streaming music service.
Apple Music to pay .2 cent for songs during free trial
Apple's original deal with record labels didn't have the company paying anything during the three month trial period, and then 71.5 percent after that. Outside the United States that percentage jumps to about 73 percent.
The iPhone and iPad maker changed those terms, however, after receiving backlash from artists who said they should be paid for their songs even during the free trial period. That culminated with an open letter to Apple from singer Taylor Swift.
Apple's new terms were enough to convince independent artists and labels to sign on with Apple Music, which means the available music library for the streaming music service will be even larger when it launches next week on June 30.
Music executives told the New York Times the free period royalty will apply to all labels signed on with Apple Music.