shelfware

or shelf ware

[ shelf-wair ]

noun

, Informal.

1. Computers. software or hardware that remains unsold, unused, or underused:

   shelfware as part of a bundled license deal.

2. ideas or findings that are not used or acted upon:

   The results of your market research can quickly become shelfware.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelfware¹

shelf + -ware (in the sense “goods sitting on a shelf”)