Onleihe

Onleihe is a digital library lending platform based in Germany that provides patrons with access to a collection of audio, video, and e‑book titles. The service is designed for public and institutional libraries, allowing users to borrow and stream or download digital media through a dedicated app or web interface. By aggregating licenced content from publishers and distributors, Onleihe enables libraries to offer a modern, remote‑access lending experience without the need for physical copies. The platform handles rights management, copy‑protection, and delivery of the media to authenticated users. Its primary market is the German library sector, though the service can be used by any participating institution that integrates the Onleihe system.

Onleihe’s distinguishing attribute lies in its focus on secure, copy‑protected digital lending for multimedia content, a niche that requires specialised DRM handling and compliance with copyright regulations. The platform’s infrastructure is reliant on a third‑party service provider, a relationship that became evident when a cyberattack in April 2022 disrupted the provider’s systems and temporarily affected Onleihe’s audio, video and e‑book availability. Although the attack led to the deletion of protected files and necessitated re‑encryption and re‑upload of affected media, core lending functions remained operational throughout the incident. The ransomware group responsible claimed responsibility and later leaked data after the provider refused to pay a ransom, causing residual delays in invoice processing and order fulfillment due to offline shop equipment. No further details about ownership, parent‑subsidiary relationships or organisational size are disclosed in the available sources.