Apple Changes Its Royalties Policy After Taylor Swift Speaks Her Mind

Taylor Swift is the William Wallace of modern music.

The 25-year-old icon notched a huge win for artists after swaying Apple to pay full royalties during the free, three-month trial period on Apple Music.

It all started Sunday when Taylor posted a note to Tumblr citing her anger with Apple after finding out the company wouldn't be paying royalties to artists during the free trial period on Apple's new music-streaming service.

The note, titled “To Apple, Love Taylor,” called the move by Apple,

...shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.

Swift also said,

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.

The pop singer ended the letter by saying,

We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.

Unsurprisingly, the note gained Internet traction and was immediately reposted by any loyal Swiftie with a WiFi connection.

Apple soon found Taylor's note had begun to make the e-rounds and realized the last thing it wanted to happen was for every self-proclaimed “Starbucks lover” to boycott the service.

It quickly changed the policy and announced it would be handing out royalty checks to artists during the three-month trial period.

Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet software and services, specifically cited Taylor Swift when he tweeted Apple would now be paying royalties to artists.

We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple — Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015

#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer's free trial period — Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015

In a way, Swift's celebratory tweet read less like a victory lap and more like a queen addressing her soldiers after a victory.

I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us. — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015

She just swayed one of the world's biggest companies to shift its policy on how it shares revenue.

You have to ask yourself, is Taylor Swift the most powerful person in music?

It's not just the mammoth success of 1989, it's also Taylor's ability to turn her fans into devoted followers by just being herself. When Taylor speaks, fans don't just listen; they throw down cash.

Taylor is hyper-aware of this fact and has used it to pave her own way through the industry.

In a world where most artists are afraid of upsetting the powers that be, Taylor has made a career out of her willingness to stand up to the suits. Just ask Spotify.

She even found fans in music legends.

@taylorswift13 A word from our future President. Right on. You tell 'em, Girl. E.C. http://t.co/qnNh2WTJiX … — Elvis Costello (@ElvisCostello) June 22, 2015

The fact that Elvis Costello has a Twitter account and uses it to follow Taylor Swift is mind-blowing.

Citations: Taylor Swift Criticism Spurs Apple to Change Royalties Policy (The New York Times)