[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

shelfware /shelf'weir/ n. software purchased on a whim by an
   individual user or in accordance with policy by a corporation or
   government agency, but not actually required for any particular use.
   therefore, it often ends up on some shelf.

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

shelfware
     
         /shelfweir/ software which is never used and so
        ends up on the shelf.  shelfware may be purchased on a whim by
        an individual, or in accordance with corporate policy, but not
        actually required for any particular use.  alternatively, it
        may be software that has been developed unlike vaporware,
        but is never released as a product -- a common occurrence at
        dec.
     
        jargon file
     
        1997-07-20
     
     
see also:
software vaporware dec jargon file 

Shelfware >> S Words
Shelfware, definition of term: Shelfware
shelfware_pag1.html