Illegal sharing of digital textbooks

At the end of January 2026, the Rights Alliance approached SDU with the message to intensify efforts to combat the sharing of digital textbooks. The alliance also encourages universities to inform students about the new, stricter measures.

The background

In its statement, the Rights Alliance writes:

"For several years, the Rights Alliance has been working to educate through Os Der Elsker Viden (Those Who Love Knowledge) initiative to reduce the illegal sharing of digital textbooks. Despite a high level of knowledge among students about rules, studies show that students' consumption of illegal textooks has remained at a high and unchanged level since 2019. More than half of students have shared or received digital textbooks illegally."

Furthermore, the Rights Alliance writes:

"As our insight and experience shows that information alone cannot solve the challenges, we feel compelled to intensify our efforts to ensure a future Danish study book market. From 1 February, we will therefore take concrete steps against illegal sharing, including taking legal action against individuals who illegally share digital copies of copyrighted study literature."

Information for students

As a result of the call, SDU will in the coming period inform students about the new measures:

• Via postings on the study pages on MySDU
• Via info screens around the university
• Through updated campaign material from previous collaborations, including the UdRet campaign and the Os Der Elsker Viden campaign

The aim is to ensure that students know the rules for sharing digital material and are aware of the potential consequences of illegal sharing.

Want to know more - Rights Alliance

Read the Rights Alliance press release on the alliance's website.

Read more about UdRet (in Danish).

Read more about Os Der Elsker Viden (in Danish).

Want to know more - SDU

The library continuously disseminates knowledge about copyright via several channels.
You can refer students to: mitsdu.dk/bibliotek/ophavsret.

If you as a lecturer want to focus on sharing materials in general, the Library is available for sparring and guidance. Read more on the Library's service page on SDUnet.