OceanofPDF
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Type of site | Digital library, file sharing, shadow library |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Founder(s) | Nicholas Liam |
| URL | oceanofpdf |
| Commercial | No |
| Launched | 2018 |
OceanofPDF (also written as Oceanofpdf) is a website offering free ebook downloads in violation of copyright law, described by the Authors Guild as "one of the most notorious digital ebook piracy sites".[1] It says it aims to make information "free and accessible to everyone around the globe", citing a lack of accessibility in developing countries in particular.[2] It is apparently based in the United States and claims to operate in accordance with California law.[3] However, it has faced legal action from both authors and publishers.
History
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OceanofPDF was launched in early 2018 under a US domain name. In July 2018, the site attracted complaints from several high-profile authors, including Philip Pullman, CJ Skuse, Robin Stevens and Maz Evans, after Michelle Harrison found her own books on it and drew attention to it. Speaking on behalf of the site, which he said was run by a "small team of four guys", Nicholas Liam said that they would try to remain active as long as possible.[4] Author Regan Ure and her husband claimed to identify George Colburn as the likely registrant of the site's domain, though he denied any involvement.[5]
In August 2018, the site was reportedly taken offline following the author campaign and takedown notices from major publishers including Penguin Random House and HarperCollins.[2][6][7][8] Later the same month, it returned under a .net domain name.[3][9]
Many authors opposed to OceanofPDF were criticized as classist and elitist by its users. Author Malorie Blackman responded by criticizing the perceived entitlement of ebook pirates, saying that authors deserved to be paid for their labor.[2] Journalist Porter Anderson said this reflected a "culture of victimization" among pirates.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Actions Authors Can Take Against Notorious Piracy Site OceanofPDF.com". The Authors Guild. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ a b c Flood, Alison (2018-08-08). "'Elitist': angry book pirates hit back after author campaign sinks website". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ a b Eyre, Charlotte (2018-08-22). "Controversial piracy website OceanOfPDF returns". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Eyre, Charlotte (2018-07-03). "Authors' fury at website offering free book downloads". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Malvern, Jack (2018-07-15). "Writer Regan Ure turns detective to fight free downloads". The Times. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Eyre, Charlotte (2018-08-01). "Piracy website Oceanofpdf taken down". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ "Oceanofpdf piracy website taken down". Books+Publishing. 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Owen, Lynette (2024-05-29). Selling Rights (9 ed.). London: Routledge. p. 20. doi:10.4324/9781003394532. ISBN 978-1-003-39453-2.
- ^ "Oceanofpdf piracy website returns". Books+Publishing. 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Anderson, Porter (2019-04-08). "Society of Authors Calls on UK Government to Fight Online Book Piracy". Publishing Perspectives. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
