Photographers were reportedly upset with People's assertion that the magazine shouldn't have to pay extra fees when it uses agency photos already featured in the print issue on the app.
A spokeswoman for People told Mashable via e-mail that discussions with photo agencies "never had anything to do" with the app's launch date, but rather People wanted "to have the best product possible" and to make sure the subscription verification interface was working.
With regard to reports about photo licensing issues, People told The Hollywood Reporter that the magazine currently has the rights to use agency photos under their current contracts.
Much like Vanity Fair's iPad app, People's app does not differ much from the present publication. Still, it does include some interactive elements, bonus photos and exclusive videos, like a demo clip of popstar Katy Perry showing users how to use the app, as well as never-before-seen photos from her childhood.
Still, unlike Wired's or Popular Mechanic's apps, People seems to be mostly a page-to-pad effort.
The app does offer a somewhat novel business model (in the realm of print mags on iPad), allowing existing subscribers to verify their subscription and download the current issue for free. Single copies are available for purchase for non-subscribers.
People is Time Inc.'s fourth publication following Time, Fortune and Sports Illustrated to feature its content in app form.
