Indie labels are refusing to sign onto Apple Music

UK indie label group Beggars has added its voice to the backlash building against Apple Music, amid news that the music streaming service will not pay royalties to copyright-owning record labels and music publishers during its initial three-month free trial period. In a statement sent to Beggars’ labels, artists and managers, the group outlined their concern over the terms of a potential deal with Apple, and stated that they had not yet signed an agreement with the tech company. They also expressed worry over whether or not independent labels and the artists on their rosters would be treated as well as the industry’s three major labels and their artists. “We are naturally very concerned, especially for artists releasing new albums in the next three months, that all streaming on the new service will be unremunerated until the end of September,” the statement read. “Whilst we understand the logic of [Apple’s] proposal and their aim to introduce a subscription-only service, we struggle to see why rights owners and artists should bear this aspect of Apple’s customer acquisition costs.” Beggard Group includes labels XL, Rough Trade, Young Turks, Matador and 4AD in the UK.