Patterns of piracy: Sci-Hub and Sweden 2011–2018

This article explores the evolution of text piracy in Sweden between 2011 and 2018, focusing on platforms like Sci-Hub and Library Genesis. It examines the informal media economy and regimes of justification that underpin text piracy, highlighting how cultural and technological factors, including Sweden’s rapid broadband adoption and a strong individualistic culture, contribute to this phenomenon. The study analyses historical download data from shadow libraries, revealing a significant concentration of downloads in university towns and major cities, with a predominance of STEM subjects. It also makes use of legacy media sources to contextualise the progression found in the shadow library datasets. By applying theories of informal media economy and regimes of justification, the article offers insights into the persistence of text piracy in Sweden and the implications for global discussions on copyright and knowledge access.