To Apple... Love, Taylor
Last June 21, pop star Taylor Swift wrote an open letter to Apple and brought the tech giant to its knees. What she did was just incredible. Weeks have passed and Apple has readily agreed to her request that creators be paid during the free three-month period to be given to subscribers. After all, why should their music be given out for free when they have never asked for free iPhones?
But people are still talking about what Taylor did, the amazing result and how it signaled the birth of a formidable force that might finally be able to turn the music around for producers, songwriters, artists, etc. Here verbatim is what she wrote:
“I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.
“I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free three-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. I find it to be shocking, disappointing and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
“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. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field… but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs.
“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.
“I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the three-month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.
“Three months is a long time to go unpaid and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.
“But I say to Apple with all due respect. It’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation. “Taylor.” It was a very simple act. Not really selfless as if there is an artist who can do without the streaming of her music nowadays, it is Taylor. Remember, she has already pulled her albums out of Spotify. It is a fact that music creators make more out of the sale of physical CDs than with streaming. Still, her concern for others is admirable. The girl is only 25 years old. Can you imagine what she would be able to do given her massive clout in the coming years?
Now, I wonder. Does Apple carry Filipino music? Is the free three-month offer also enforced here? Will local creators be paid for the use of their works during that period? Come to think of it, were Filipinos paid during those free three-month subscriptions that Spotify gave out?
I do not have the answers but the music industry is certainly alive and well. There is excitement all around. But a way must be found for the creators to be compensated justly as we embark on new technologies.