wicky
play thing
How could you register software if it did not communicate with its home base? That is necessary, not spying.
When you connect to register an app you are aware of your computer making the connection... most of the time you authorize it directly. Obviously. Or, sometimes, an application might inform you that it intends to make an external connection, and offers you the opportunity to approve it or intervene.
However, some people are quite surprised when they find that an application makes an (unnecessary or unwarranted) connection without their authorization or consent (it being their computer).
It's (arguably) correct for software companies to police their products in this way, however, many people rightfully have an issue with their computer making connections without their express permission.
It is not spyware in the traditional sense (ie. the definition of spyware), but for many people it represents a covert level of surveillance.