T&C changes could cause users to lose music they’ve bought. Here’s what you need to know.
Qobuz sent an urgent email to its users about big upcoming changes to its platform. Due to legal changes, certain titles may no longer be available for download beginning October 1, 2024. This means users could lose access to previously bought tracks unless they download them before the deadline.
What’s Changing and Why?
Qobuz has updated its terms and conditions, indicating that some music may be removed from streaming and downloading services.
“Certain works available on Qobuz may be removed from the Service for legal reasons. To respect our commitments and guarantee the protection of intellectual property in music, we will have to prevent access to certain titles, both for downloading and streaming,” Qobuz said in an email.
“In these particular cases, from the withdrawal date, titles already purchased by customers on the Qobuz Store can no longer be re-downloaded. No action is required on your part, but we always recommend downloading your purchases as soon as possible.”
These changes are likely due to evolving licensing agreements with music rights holders. Platforms like Qobuz often have agreements that allow them to offer specific titles for streaming and download.
If these agreements expire or are revised, Qobuz must comply with the new terms, which can result in removing certain music from their service.
That said, while users who have already purchased music still technically own it, the platform may no longer have the rights to make that music available for re-download.
How to Protect Your Purchased Music
The most important step is downloading and backing up all purchased tracks before October 1st. After this date, any music removed due to licensing changes will no longer be available for re-download, even if you bought it.
This update highlights a key issue with digital music: music saved on your device is under your control, but files on services like Qobuz are tied to legal agreements that can change. By downloading and securely storing your purchases, you can keep access to your music even if things change.
Using external hard drives or cloud storage can also help prevent accidental loss or damage. Multiple backups provide extra security, making sure your music is safe, even if the original files are lost or corrupted.
While streaming is convenient, it doesn’t give you the same lasting access as having music stored locally. For those who value their music collections, now is the time to save your tracks before licensing changes make them unavailable.