It’s probably just me being easily bamboozled again, but I currently have c11 pro (dongle/e-licenser), I then bought “Cubase Pro 14 Update from Cubase (Pro) 4 - 11” back in April 2025.
I haven’t touched anything to do with Cubase since apart from my existing c11 Pro.
However…I installed the download assistant on my new laptop today and I can see the following:
No, I made the purchase and did absolutely nothing with it since, until installing the download assistant today that is. Haven’t input the download access code anywhere.
Unfortunately, you must have entered the DAC at some point before October 2025. Otherwise, Cubase 14 Pro would not show up under “My Products”. Even if you’ve never installed C14.
Try to enter the DAC again and you’ll see that it was already used.
Your screenshot also shows “Materials Metal & Ice” which was part of the Cubase 14 promotion. You could get it for free if the Download Access Code of Cubase 14 was redeemed during a certain period after the release. If you didn’t purchase “Materials Metal & Ice” separately, you probably redeemed the DAC and are therefore not eligible for a free update to Cubase 15.
With all due respect to anyone’s opinion, this is not “trying to game the system from a calendar perspective” at all. It is simply legitimately using an option created by Steinberg. At the time of redemption, they provide the most up-to-date product. This is greatly appreciated by many customers and helps Steinberg keep them loyal and, paradoxically, earn more money. Everyone is allowed to purchase a license and keep it until the next version is released, and this does not cause any harm to other users, as those who do so miss out on a version and have to be patient. But most of us who do this are hobbyists who would not otherwise invest in any upgrades. With this method, we continue to invest in the software; otherwise, I would still be on version 9, I guarantee you.
Thanks all for the useful replies. I was not trying to game the system, I only updated from c11 pro to c14pro because of the usb elicenser support coming to an end(?) and wanting to stay on the upgrade path. I had no real intention of updating otherwise.
I just thought by chance I would have had c15 pro in my list as “I thought” I hadn’t used the DAC…however…
….apologies to all, I did enter the DAC but totally forgot about it, and I even screenshotted it!
but totally forgot about it, and I even screenshotted it! 
