Courtesy Universal Music Group & Udio
The rapidly evolving world of AI music just hit a major speed bump on the road to licensing, resulting in a chaotic scramble for creators. Following a landmark settlement with Universal Music Group (UMG), AI music platform Udio abruptly disabled its download function on Wednesday, October 29. The immediate, platform-wide ban—which affected songs created long before the deal—ignited a firestorm of user backlash on sites like Reddit.
The User Backlash and the CEO’s Apology
The core of the issue is digital ownership. Paid subscribers, who had spent money and countless hours creating their music, suddenly found themselves locked out of their own work. The outrage was immediate and intense, with users on Reddit deploying terms like “absolute betrayal” and even threatening legal action.
In response to the overwhelming public outcry, Udio is offering a brief concession. Late Thursday, October 30, CEO Andrew Sanchez posted a statement to Reddit, apologizing for the “pain” and confirming that the download ban was necessary to “facilitate” the partnership with UMG. However, Sanchez assured users that Udio had “worked with our partners” to make a temporary reversal possible.
The Critical 48-Hour Window
The temporary fix is a 48-hour download window, which begins Monday, November 3. This is a critical period for Udio users, as any songs downloaded during this time will be covered by the company’s prior terms of service. This means users retain full ownership and commercial rights to their existing creations. Udio’s prompt action suggests an attempt to mitigate both the massive user exodus and the realistic possibility of legal claims from frustrated subscribers.
A Glimpse into the Restricted Future
While this brief window offers a reprieve, it’s a clear sign of the restrictive future planned for the platform. The deal with UMG settles a copyright infringement suit and sets the stage for a revamped Udio, expected next year. This new version will be one where users can stream their creations but cannot take them to other platforms. Udio users who value their independence must treat this 48-hour period as a call to action: secure your music now, because the door on easy digital ownership is quickly closing in the new era of licensed AI music.
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