OceanOfPDF.com was a notorious website that offered free downloads of pirated e-books, violating the rights of authors and publishers. The website was shut down in 2018, after a massive outcry from the literary community. But now, it seems that OceanOfPDF is back, under a different domain name, and with the same disregard for the law.
The website, which claims to be an “index of books available online”, is now operating under the name PDFGet.net. The site features thousands of PDF and EPUB files of e-books, ranging from children’s classics to adult bestsellers. Some of the titles available include the entire Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, as well as books by Roald Dahl and Philip Pullman. The site also offers books by John Irving, Juno Diaz, and many more.
The site appears to be based in the US, as it states that its terms of use are governed by the laws of California and the United States. It also advises anyone who wishes to complain about copyright infringement to contact by e-mail, suggesting that the site is affiliated with another e-book site, SMTE Books.
The History of OceanOfPDF
OceanOfPDF first came to the attention of the public in July 2018, when author Michelle Harrison discovered copies of her books on the site via a Google alert. She then alerted other authors, who were shocked and outraged to find their books on the site as well. The site was not only offering free downloads of e-books, but also encouraging users to request books that were not yet available.
Many authors, including Philip Pullman, took to social media to condemn the site and demand its closure. Pullman tweeted to @OceanofPDF, “Please show me the agreement you have with my publishers, or my agent, or me, which allows you to give my books away free.” The site responded by saying that it was “helping the people who can’t afford the books” and that it was “not stealing any money from anyone”.
The site was eventually taken down at the end of July 2018, after pressure from publishers and legal action from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU). A spokesperson for Penguin Random House, one of the publishers affected by the site, said that the company took “the protection of intellectual property and the threat of piracy extremely seriously” and that it was “looking into this further”.
The Impact of OceanOfPDF
The impact of OceanOfPDF on the book industry and the authors was significant and negative. The site not only deprived authors and publishers of their rightful income, but also undermined the value and quality of their work. The site also posed a threat to the readers, as the e-books downloaded from the site could contain malware, viruses, or inaccurate information.
The site also showed a lack of respect and appreciation for the authors and their creative efforts. Many authors spend years researching, writing, and editing their books, only to see them given away for free by a piracy website. Some authors also rely on royalties from their books to make a living, and piracy can affect their livelihood and their ability to write more books.
The site also violated the trust and relationship between the authors and their readers. Many readers support their favourite authors by buying their books, leaving reviews, and recommending them to others. They also expect to receive high-quality and authentic e-books, not pirated copies that could be incomplete, corrupted, or altered.
The Future of OceanOfPDF
The return of OceanOfPDF under a new domain name shows that the piracy website is not willing to give up its illegal activities, despite the legal and ethical consequences. The site also shows that it is not afraid of the authorities, the publishers, or the authors, as it continues to offer pirated e-books with impunity.
The future of OceanOfPDF is uncertain, as it could face more legal action, more public backlash, or more technical difficulties. The site could also change its name again, or move to a different location, to evade detection and prosecution. The site could also lose its popularity, as more readers become aware of the risks and harms of piracy, and choose to support the authors and the book industry instead.
The future of OceanOfPDF is also dependent on the actions and reactions of the stakeholders involved, such as the authors, the publishers, the readers, and the law enforcement agencies. The authors and the publishers could take more steps to protect their intellectual property, such as using digital rights management (DRM), watermarking, or encryption. They could also educate the readers about the importance and benefits of buying legal e-books, and the dangers and drawbacks of piracy. They could also monitor and report any piracy websites that they encounter, and seek legal remedies when necessary.
The readers could also play a role in the future of OceanOfPDF, by choosing not to use the site, or any other piracy website, to download e-books. They could also report any piracy websites that they come across, and spread the word about the negative impacts of piracy on the authors and the book industry. They could also support the authors and the book industry by buying legal e-books, or borrowing them from libraries or other legitimate sources.
The law enforcement agencies could also take more action to combat piracy websites like OceanOfPDF, by investigating, prosecuting, and shutting down such sites. They could also cooperate with other countries and jurisdictions, as piracy websites often operate across borders and regions. They could also work with the internet service providers (ISPs), the domain name registrars, and the payment processors, to block, suspend, or seize the accounts and assets of piracy websites.
Update 2026: where the fight stands now
Two years after this piece was first published, OceanofPDF is still online, and the industry response has hardened. As we reported in our 2026 follow-up, the UK High Court has issued an omnibus blocking order aimed at large-scale book piracy sites, Belgium pioneered blocking actions of its own, and the Publishers Association has stepped up international coordination against mirror domains. Whether those tools are used with enough speed and ambition is the open question we examine in Is OceanofPDF Shutting Down?
Frequently asked questions
Is OceanofPDF legal?
No. It distributes copyrighted books without permission from authors or publishers, which infringes copyright law in the UK, the US and most other jurisdictions. Depending on where you live, downloading from it can also put the user on the wrong side of the law.
Why is it so hard to shut down?
The site operates across borders, shifts between domains and hosting providers, and reappears through mirrors after takedowns. It is the same hydra problem that kept Z-Library alive after domain seizures.
Does book piracy actually hurt authors?
Yes, and midlist and debut authors feel it most. Lost sales depress the figures publishers use to decide whether a writer gets another book deal.
What are the legal alternatives?
Public library apps such as Libby and BorrowBox lend commercial ebooks for free with a library card. Project Gutenberg and Standard Ebooks offer tens of thousands of public-domain titles, and subscription services give inexpensive access to large commercial catalogues.
