Udio Allows Downloads for 48 Hours Following UMG Deal Outcry

The recent legal settlement and partnership between generative AI music platform Udio and Universal Music Group (UMG) brought with it the announcement that Udio would immediately shutter its download function. And its subscribers are far from happy.

The issue:

• Users (including paid subscribers) who had created music on Udio were no longer able to download it.

• Said users voiced their anger, with some even threatening legal action and creating a group on Discord to coordinate their approach.

Brief window:

• In response, Udio posted a statement on Reddit saying it would allow a 48-hour window starting Monday November 3 during which users can download their existing songs.

• Songs that were created prior to the UMG agreement that are downloaded during the 48-hour window will be covered by Udio’s terms of service prior to the settlement, which grant all users ownership rights to their generated songs.

• This includes permission to use them for commercial purposes.

Moving forward:

• Under the UMG deal, Udio’s service will in 2026 feature a “walled garden,” in which users can stream their creations but not take them to other platforms.

What they said:

• An Udio statement on Reddit: “Udio is a small company operating in an incredibly complex and evolving space, and we believe that partnering directly with artists and songwriters is the way forward. In order to facilitate that partnership, we had to disable downloads. While the transition period is still necessary, we want you to have access to your past creations. We’ve worked with our partners to help make this possible. We will be providing a 48-hour window for all users to download their existing songs. The window will begin on Monday 3 November... Downloaded songs will be subject to the prior TOS.”