Every disk I have is now on my server and license changes won’t bring them back

For years, tampering with physical media you own for personal backup has been in a legal “grey area.” However, I buy physical discs and back them up to MKV files to include in a self-hosted media installation in a media library for Jellyfin and Plex servers. I can then use my physical media titles on any device using the official Jellyfin apps or third-party alternative clients.

Since I own the media, I should be able to do whatever I want with it, as long as I don’t put it on file sharing sites where others can steal the contents of my music on DVDs, Blu-rays, or CDs.

The language of the server platform

A server platform license can change on a dime

Owning a physical movie disc does not invalidate copyright law, nor does it make Plex and Jellyfin immune to software and license changes. In fact, copying a UHD 4K Blu-ray using LibreDrive and MakeMKV violates DMCA anti-circumvention rules in the United States. It bypasses the drive’s AACS2 copy protection system, which is separate from whether a personal backup might violate copyright laws. If I have the disc, I need to copy it and put it on my server for personal viewing. But the worst licensing problem is self-managed media platforms.

Instead of having to worry about copying discs, the infrastructure of Plex or Jellyfin is a real concern. For example, Plex’s notable changes include raising its price for paid features and requiring Plex Pass access, such as remote viewing, or forcing every remote viewer to purchase a Remote Watch Pass. Plex also makes clear in its licensing terms that it can change how the service works and what features it charges for.

Jellyfin users should keep in mind that it is an open source project with a volunteer-led team. The GPL-licensed code means that no vendor can disable remote monitoring or turn it into a paid app or plugin. There is also the risk that every client application or plugin will cease development, become corporatized, and move to a fee-based system. Of course, another argument is that this is an open source community, and if something gets lost in the shuffle, something else and often better emerges.

But there is no way to play

Blu-ray arguments aside, my files are fine because I own the media. However, there are changes involved in self-hosted software platforms. Whatever licensing changes the movie studios make, they won’t affect the MKV file on my NAS or server. But Plex has shown how it can do whatever it wants.

Keeping my movies and shows local protects them from unexpected licensing, but doesn’t make all parts of my installation permanent. Plex may still change features, plans and other services. I find Plex a useful interface, but not the owner of my library.

Jellyfin offers additional insurance. It cannot promise that every app, plugin, device or operating system will work forever. But I can continue to run a working version, look at the community forks of the server or clients, and maintain files on my own. Streaming libraries may change, or the way I view content may be different, but there’s usually another way to use my media library. In fact, every week I find new apps and plugins that improve the experience.

If Plex and Jellyfin disappear

I still have my media collection

Suppose the unthinkable happened: I installed an update for my media platform and it put my ripped MKVs behind a paywall, or worse, deleted them. I would be upset, of course. However, since I have all the movies and shows and the original physical discs, I have nothing to worry about. I can re-rip them, store them somewhere safe and use VLC or Kodi to watch them via UPnP/DLNA or SMB sharing. Alternatively, I can watch my UHD 4K discs in a Blu-ray player.

If Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby disappeared tomorrow, I’d enjoy movies, TV shows, and CD collections in other ways. My doomsday prediction has a slim chance of coming true, but it’s best to be prepared. So even if some crazy licensing policy comes into play, the media file police won’t have a chance to get my media back.

My backed up media stays on my server

I purchased physical media that resides on my server and license changes will not bring it back. Self-hosted streaming platforms come and go, but I won’t stop streaming my local media if they start charging too much or shut down overnight. There is another solution. Even if the convenience of Plex or Jellyfin is gone, I can watch content whenever I want, on my device of choice.