why do you need my physical address for me to register a book?

I often wonder if companies ask for information like that to dissuade people who may have not have paid for an item from registering it. For example, if I download and install pirated software that is made by Adobe and want to get a type of extended Adobe support, maybe I won't register for that support for fear of getting caught pirating software.

I guess the question then becomes: is it right or wrong for companies to do things this way?

Is that what you're getting at, or am I completely off base? Or, do you think that companies want that information to mail catalogs to you? What is your hunch, ivo? I am not sure, but it does always make me curious. That said, I always enter my address because it's something I'm comfortable sharing with just about anyone. But, that's just me.

I have a subscription to Make. ORA has my address (somewhere) because I actually receive the magazine. The Makezine "my acount" link refers to the ORA account page. There, ORA has lost track of my address. I cannot add books, although i have added books in the past, without fixing the address.

* ORA doesn't need the address. Make magazine arrives just fine without it.

* It's annoying to be made to jump though pointless hoops. ORA doesn't explain what they need the address for. As a comparison, amazon.co.uk allows you to make a wish list and set preferences based on just an email address. Only when they ship or bill something, they'll request an address. There, it's obvious what they need it for and you can remove the address (i don't bother) later.

* I'm not comfortable sharing my address. I have a unique name and prefer to share my address only with people I invite or need something from.

I trust ORA for not abusing this data, I am just annoyed that I am forced to do stuff that has no value for ORA or me.