Tomas Chlebek One of the most common criticisms of music streaming concerns the way copyright holders are paid, or artists. The process of determining the amount paid is complicated and results in fees that are, according to many, very inadequate or unsustainable. Apple is said to have taken steps to change this process, but not clearly out of concern for the artist.
Apple in collaboration with Copyright Royalty Board, the US government's copyright and royalty-setting body, has created a proposal for the government to establish a uniform system for paying music royalties. According to him, copyright holders would receive 9,1 cents of the dollar (about 2,2 CZK) for every 100 plays.
The proposed rules would greatly simplify the process of setting and paying royalties in the US and most likely improve conditions for artists, but at the same time it would make streaming services much more expensive. It is understandable. In that case, however, Apple would not be at an advantage over Spotify or Tidal simply because of its size. His position would be further enhanced by the contracts he entered into with recording studios that would allow him to avoid compliance with the proposed rules.
The proposal will be reviewed by federal judges and, if approved, would apply from 2018 to 2022. It only applies to streaming royalties, not recording. Apple did not publish the proposal itself. So did the diary The New York Times. Apple refused to comment on the proposal in the media.
