2313.2 The Purpose of the Computer Shareware Registry
When Congress created a rental right for computer programs, interested parties expressed concern that this might adversely affect the shareware industry. Allowing interested parties to record documents pertaining to shareware was intended to address this concern by providing “a means for notifying the public of the licensing terms applicable to individual programs marketed on a shareware basis.” See 58 Fed.
Reg. at 29,106; see also H.R. REP. NO. 101-735, at 16 (1990), reprinted in 1990 U.S.C.C.A.N. at 6947 (explaining that the legislation was intended “to encourage individuals desiring to permit unrestricted, or liberal, use of software they create, to file documents to that effect with the Copyright Office”).