I'd take Apples comments about the way Spotify treats artists with a huge pinch of salt. Spotify can only work with the labels and they're the ones who pay the artists. Often for a pittance, yes, but that's outside of Spotify's control. In fact labels are the ones who have been asking for higher mark ups in distribution while paying less to the artists and it's because of this we've seen so many music streaming services go under. Despite what Apple say, it's not that lucrative a market for most streaming services.

So I really wouldn't take Apples rebuttal at face value either. It doesn't line up with what any other the other streaming services (both current nor the ones that closed shop because they simply couldn't afford the exorbitant rights being demanded) have claimed over the years, and it certainly doesn't line up with what I experienced back when I was involved in the music scene myself (which was some years ago now - but sadly it's an industry that showed no sign of adapting even then)