Shareware authors face an anxious wait to find out if they will receive any money following the demise of RegisterHouse.com, which has filed for voluntary liquidation.

The site is down and the company has ceased trading, but a search through Google's cache reveal that the Scottish site acted as a "trusted third party, providing registration and secure payment facilities for software developers", particularly shareware authors.

Glasgow accountants Hastings & Co have been appointed provisional liquidators following a petition filed by the company's directors to Edinburgh Sheriff's Court on February 22.

Linda Hastings of Hastings & co told us it is unable to comment under Scottish law until an interim liquidator is appointed. The job of a provisional liquidator under Scottish law is restricted to protect a company's assets after its ceases trading.

A creditor's meeting has yet to be held and anyone owed money by RegisterHouse.com is encouraged to contact Hastings & co on 0141 353 1331.

The status of the company should be clarified by the end of this month. ®