2313.4 Recordation Requirements for Documents Pertaining to Computer Shareware
Congress has authorized the U.S. Copyright Office to record documents pertaining to computer shareware. See Judicial Improvements Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-650, § 805, 104 Stat. 5089, 5136 (authorizing the Register of Copyrights “to maintain current, separate records relating to the recordation of documents” pertaining to shareware). Specifically, the Office may record any document that is clearly designated as a document pertaining to computer shareware, provided that the document governs the legal relationship between the owner of a computer program that is marketed as shareware and persons who disseminate or use that program and provided that the document is submitted together with the correct filing fee. See 37 C.F.R. § 201.26 (D) (1), (E).