If you own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch you can forget about streaming Taylor Swift’s 1989 album in your device using Apple’s upcoming music streaming service Apple Music. The pop star on Sunday wrote a letter to Apple explaining why she will not publish her 1989 album on Apple Music due to her dissatisfaction with Apple’s policy. Taylor begins by stating that she greatly respect Apple and their “truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.” Next, Taylor proceeds to explain why she will not put up her album in Apple Music. Swift’s main problem with Apple Music is that during the free three-month trial Apple give its users, artists will not receive any compensation for their music even though their music will still be consumed by those on the trial.
Taylor Swift makes it clear that this is not about her, she’s protesting for small artists and bands that will not have the same impacts as Taylor Swift if they complain to Apple. “This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success,” Swift wrote on her Tumlr. “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.”
Swift closes her letter by advising Apple to change their policy, “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.” Swift also tells Apple that, “We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.”