Updated at 10:55 p.m. PT to include Swift's response.
Late Sunday evening, Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet software and services, tweeted to the masses that Apple would pay artists for streams even during users' free trial period on Apple Music. It was a direct response to a recent critique from superstar singer Taylor Swift.
Cue tweeted a confirmation of artist payment and then even name-checked Swift in a follow-up.
#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
Apple will always make sure that artist are paid #iTunes #AppleMusic— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
Cue's tweets on Sunday signaled a reversal of the previously reported policy that musicians and labels would not be paid for streams during the Apple Music free trial period.
In an interview published late Sunday night with Billboard, Cue elaborated, "When I woke up this morning and saw what Taylor had written, it really solidified that we needed a change. And so that's why we decide we will now pay artists during the trial period."
When asked to confirm the payments to artists for the 90-day free trial periods, Cue replied, "We're certainly paying for it, yes. We're all in."
"I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 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," Swift wrote. "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company."
Previously, Swift had announced her latest album, 1989, would not be immediately available on Apple Music when the service launches in at the end of June. She famously removed her music from streaming service Spotify last fall.
A group of notable indie labels, including 4AD and Matador, had expressed similar misgivings about the decision surrounding the lack of payment during the free trial periods.
Swift later tweeted about the decision.
I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us.— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015
So far, though, she has yet to reach an agreement to put 1989 on the service.
Though Apple IS talking to @taylorswift13, she has NOT yet agreed to be part of Apple Music, said @cue.— John Paczkowski (@JohnPaczkowski) June 22, 2015
Cue told Billboard he reached Swift by phone in Amsterdam where she's currently touring to relay the news.