<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 99.4


          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of October
13, 1999, by and among RoweCom Inc., a Delaware corporation with headquarters
located at 725 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 (the "Company"),
and the undersigned Buyers (individually a "Buyer" and collectively the
"Buyers").

          WHEREAS:

          A.  In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among
the parties hereto of even date herewith (the "Securities Purchase Agreement"),
the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell to the Buyers (i) convertible
notes (the "Initial Notes"), which will be convertible into shares (as
converted, the "Initial Conversion Shares") of the Company's common stock, par
value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), in accordance with the terms of the
Initial Notes and (ii) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock  (the
"Initial Warrants" and, as exercised, the "Initial Warrant Shares").

          B.  In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company
may have the right, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, to require the Buyers to purchase (i) convertible
notes (the "Additional Notes" and, collectively with the Initial Notes, the
"Notes"), which will be convertible into Common Stock (as converted, the
"Additional Conversion Shares" and, collectively with the Initial Conversion
Shares, the "Conversion Shares") in accordance with the terms of the Additional
Notes and (ii) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (the "Additional
Warrants" and, collectively with the Initial Warrants, the "Warrants"; and as
exercised the "Additional Warrant Shares" and, collectively with the Initial
Warrant Shares, the "Warrant Shares").

          C.  To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities
Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration
rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the
"1933 Act"), and applicable state securities laws.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each
of the Buyers hereby agree as follows:

          1.  DEFINITIONS
              -----------

              As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

              a.  "Investor" means a Buyer and any transferee or assignee
thereof to whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement in accordance
with the terms hereof and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 9.
<PAGE>

          b.  "Person" means a corporation, a limited liability company, an
association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a
governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.

          c.  "Register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration
Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to
Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering
securities on a continuous or delayed basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or
ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

          d.  "Initial Registrable Securities" means (i) the Initial Conversion
Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Initial Notes, (ii) the Initial
Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the Initial Warrants and
(iii) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to the Initial
Conversion Shares, the Initial Notes, the Initial Warrant Shares or the Initial
Warrants as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization,
exchange or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any limitations on
conversions of the Initial Notes or exercises of Initial Warrants.

          e.  "Additional Registrable Securities" means (i) the Additional
Conversion Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Additional Notes,
(ii) the Additional Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the
Additional Warrants and (iii) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable
with respect to the Additional Conversion Shares, the Additional Notes, the
Additional Warrant Shares or the Additional Warrants as a result of any stock
split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise,
without regard to any limitations on conversions of Additional Notes or
exercises of Additional Warrants.

          f.  "Registrable Securities" means the Initial Registrable Securities
and the Additional Registrable Securities.

          g.  "Initial Registration Statement" means a registration statement or
registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the
Initial Registrable Securities.

          h.  "Additional Registration Statement" means a registration statement
or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the
Additional Registrable Securities.

          i.  "Registration Statement" means the Initial Registration Statement
and the Additional Registration Statement, as applicable.

          j.  "Filing Deadline" means the Initial Filing Deadline or the
Additional Filing Deadline, as applicable.

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             k.  "Effectiveness Deadline" means the Initial Effectiveness
Deadline or the Additional Effectiveness Deadline, as applicable.

         2.  REGISTRATION.
             ------------

             a.  Mandatory Registration.
                 ----------------------

                 (i)  Initial Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare,
                      ------------------------------
and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than March 16, 2000 (the
"Initial Filing Deadline"), file with the SEC an Initial Registration Statement
or Initial Registration Statements (as necessary) on Form S-3 covering the
resale of all of the Initial Registrable Securities relating to the Initial
Notes and Initial Warrants which are to be issued on the Initial Closing Date
(as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement). In the event that Form S-3 is
unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is
available for such a registration, subject to the provisions of Section 2(e).
Any first Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for
resale at least that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the sum of (y)
the product of (i) 2.0 and (ii) the number of Initial Conversion Shares issuable
upon conversion of the Initial Notes (without regard to any limitations on
conversions) as of the date immediately preceding the date the Initial
Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 3(b), plus (z) the number of Initial Warrant Shares issuable
upon exercise of the Initial Warrant (without regard to any limitations on
exercise) as of the date immediately preceding the date the Initial Registration
Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 3(b). The Company shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration
Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as possible, but in no
event later than June 30, 2000 (the "Initial Effectiveness Deadline").

                 (ii) Additional Mandatory Registration. The Company shall
                      ---------------------------------
prepare, and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 10 days after
the Additional Note Notice Date (as defined in the Securities Purchase
Agreement) (the "Additional Filing Deadline") file with the SEC an Additional
Registration Statement or Additional Registration Statements (as necessary) on
Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Additional Registrable Securities
relating to the Additional Notes and Additional Warrants which are to be issued
on the Additional Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Purchase
Agreement). In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration,
the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration,
subject to the provisions of Section 2(e). Any first Registration Statement
prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least that number of
shares of Common Stock equal to the sum of (y) the product of (i) 2.0 and (ii)
the number of Additional Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the
Additional Notes to be issued on the Additional Closing Date (as if such
Additional Notes were then outstanding and without regard to any limitations on
conversions) as of the date immediately preceding the date the Additional
Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 3(b), plus (z) the number of Additional Warrant Shares
issuable upon exercise of the Additional Warrants to be issued on the Additional
Closing Date (as if such Additional Warrants were then outstanding and without
regard to any limitations on exercise)

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as of the date immediately preceding the date the Additional Registration
Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 3(b). The Company shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration
Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as possible, but in no
event later than 80 days after the Additional Note Notice Date (the "Additional
Effectiveness Deadline").

          b.  Piggy-Back Registrations.  If at any time prior to the expiration
              ------------------------
of the Registration Period (as hereinafter defined), the number of shares of
Common Stock available for sale under a Registration Statement is insufficient
(as that term is used in Section 2(g)) to cover all of the Registrable
Securities and the Company proposes to file with the SEC a Registration
Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others
under the 1933 Act of any of its securities (other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8
(or their equivalents at such time) relating to securities to be issued solely
in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or equity
securities issuable in connection with stock option or other employee benefit
plans) the Company shall promptly send to each Investor who is entitled to
registration rights under this Section 2(b) written notice of the Company's
intention to file a Registration Statement and of such Investor's rights under
this Section 2(b) and, if within twenty (20) days after receipt of such notice,
such Investor shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such
Registration Statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities such
Investor requests to be registered, subject to the priorities set forth below in
this Section 2(b).  No right to registration of Registrable Securities under
this Section 2(b) shall be construed to limit any registration required under
Section 2(a).  The obligations of the Company under this Section 2(b) may be
waived by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities.  If an
offering in connection with which an Investor is entitled to registration under
this Section 2(b) is an underwritten offering, then each Investor whose
Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement shall, unless
otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and sell such Registrable Securities in
an underwritten offering using the same underwriter or underwriters and, subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, on the same terms and conditions as other
shares of Common Stock included in such underwritten offering.  If a
registration pursuant to this Section 2(b) is to be an underwritten public
offering and the managing underwriter(s) advise the Company in writing, that in
their reasonable good faith opinion, marketing or other factors dictate that a
limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock which may be included in the
Registration Statement is necessary to facilitate and not adversely affect the
proposed offering, then the Company shall include in such registration: (1)
first, all securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account and/or
which the Company is required to include in such Registration Statement pursuant
to the Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as of
December 11, 1998 among the Company and the other parties named therein, (2)
second, up to the full number of securities proposed to be registered for the
account of the holders of securities entitled to inclusion of their securities
in the Registration Statement by reason of demand registration rights, and (3)
third, the securities requested to be registered by the Investors and other
holders of securities entitled to participate in the registration, as of the
date hereof, drawn from them pro rata based on the number each has requested to
be included in such registration.

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<PAGE>

          c.  Allocation of Registrable Securities.  The initial number of
              ------------------------------------
Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each increase
in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro
rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held by
each Investor at the time the Registration Statement covering such initial
number of Registrable Securities or increase thereof is declared effective by
the SEC.  In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers any of such
Person's Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata
portion of the then remaining number of Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement for such transferor.  Any shares of Common Stock included
in a Registration Statement and which remain allocated to any Person which
ceases to hold any Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement
shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of
Registrable Securities then held by such Investors which are covered by such
Registration Statement.

          d.  Legal Counsel.  Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Buyers holding a
              -------------
majority of the Registrable Securities shall have the right to select one legal
counsel to review any offering pursuant to this Section 2 ("Legal Counsel"),
which shall be Katten Muchin & Zavis or such other counsel as thereafter
designated by the holders of a majority of Registrable Securities.  The Company
shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel in performing the Company's
obligations under this Agreement.

          e.  Ineligibility for Form S-3.  In the event that Form S-3 is not
              --------------------------
available for any registration of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Company
shall (i) register the sale of the Registrable Securities on another appropriate
form reasonably acceptable to the holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities and (ii) undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3
as soon as such form is available, provided that the Company shall maintain the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been
declared effective by the SEC.

          f.  Effect of Failure to Obtain and Maintain Effectiveness of
              ---------------------------------------------------------
Registration Statement.  If (i) a Registration Statement covering all the
----------------------
applicable Registrable Securities and required to be filed by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement is not (A) filed with the SEC on or before the
applicable Filing Deadline, (B) declared effective by the SEC on or before the
applicable Effectiveness Deadline or (C) on any day after a Registration
Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, other than days during an
Allowable Grace Period (as defined in Section 3(t)), sales of all the
Registrable Securities required to be included on a Registration Statement
cannot be made pursuant to the respective Registration Statement (including,
without limitation, because of a failure to keep the Registration Statement
effective, to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to be made
pursuant to the Registration Statement, to register sufficient shares of Common
Stock), then, as partial relief for the damages to any holder by reason of any
such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the underlying shares of
Common Stock (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies
available at law or in equity), the Company shall pay to each holder of the
Notes an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the aggregate principal
amount of Notes held by such holder of Notes multiplied

                                       5
<PAGE>

by (ii) the sum of (A) 0.015, if the Registration Statement is not filed with
the SEC by the Filing Deadline, plus (B) 0.015, if the Registration Statement is
not effective by the Effectiveness Deadline, plus (C) the product of (I) .0005
multiplied by (II) the sum of (x) the number of days after the Filing Deadline
that a Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC, plus (y) the number of
days after the Effectiveness Deadline that a Registration Statement is not
declared effective by the SEC, plus (z) the number of days after a Registration
Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, that such Registration
Statement is not available (other than days during an Allowable Grace Period)
for sales of at least all the Registrable Securities. The payments to which a
holder shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 2(f) are referred to herein as
"Registration Delay Payments." Registration Delay Payments shall be paid on the
earlier of (I) the last day of the calendar month during which such Registration
Delay Payments are incurred and (II) the third business day after the event or
failure giving rise to the Registration Delayed Payments is cured. In the event
the Company fails to make Registration Delay Payments in a timely manner, such
Registration Delay Payments shall bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per month
(prorated for partial months) until paid in full.

          g.  Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number of
              --------------------------------------
shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a)
is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities which such
Registration Statement is required to cover or an Investor's allocated portion
of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(c), the Company shall amend
the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short
form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at least 150%
of  the Registrable Securities (based on the market price of the Common Stock on
the trading day immediately preceding the date of filing of such amendment or
new Registration Statement), in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any
event not later than fifteen (15) days after the necessity therefor arises.  The
Company shall use its  best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the
filing thereof.  For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares
available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed "insufficient to cover
all of the Registrable Securities" if the number of Registrable Securities
issued or issuable upon conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Warrants
covered by such Registration Statement is greater than the quotient determined
by dividing (i) the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under
such Registration Statement by  (ii) 1.5.  For purposes of the calculation set
forth in the foregoing sentence, any restrictions on the convertibility of the
Notes or exercise of the Warrants shall be disregarded and such calculation
shall assume that the Notes are then convertible into, and the Warrants are then
exercisable for, shares of Common Stock at the then prevailing Conversion Rate
(as defined in the Notes) or Warrant Exercise Price (as defined in the
Warrants), respectively.

     3.   RELATED OBLIGATIONS.
          -------------------

                                       6
<PAGE>

     At such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration
Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(g), the Company will use
its best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in
accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant
thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:

          a.  The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities (but in no
event later than the Filing Deadline) and use its best efforts to cause such
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become
effective as soon as practicable after such filing (but in no event later than
the applicable Effectiveness Deadline).  The Company shall keep each
Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until the
earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell all of the
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (assuming a
Cashless Exercise (as defined in the Warrants) of all Warrants, but only if (A)
such Cashless Exercise is permitted under the Warrants or the Company
irrevocably agrees in writing to permit such a Cashless Exercise and (B) that
"tacking" is available with respect to the Investors' holding periods under Rule
144(d)(iii)) without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated under the
1933 Act (or successor thereto) or (ii) the date on which the Investors shall
have sold all the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement
(the "Registration Period"), which Registration Statement (including any
amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.  The term
"best efforts" as used in the first sentence of this Section 3(a) shall mean,
among other things, that the Company shall submit to the SEC, within two
business days after the Company learns that no review of a particular
Registration Statement will be made by the staff of the SEC or that the staff
has no further comments on the Registration Statement, as the case may be, a
request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a
time and date not later than 48 hours after the submission of such request.

          b.  The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration
Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration
Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated
under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement
effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period,
comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of
all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement
until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed
of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or
sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement.  In the case of
amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be
filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by
reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or any
analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"1934 Act"), the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into
the Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or
supplements with the SEC on the same day on

                                       7
<PAGE>

which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company
to amend or supplement the Registration Statement.

          c.  The Company shall (a) permit Legal Counsel to review and comment
upon those sections of (i) the Initial Registration Statement and the Additional
Registration Statement which are applicable to the Buyers at least five (5)
business days prior to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all other Registration
Statements and all amendments and supplements to all Registration Statements
which are applicable to the Buyers (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and any similar
or successor reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to the their
filing with the SEC and (b) not file any document in a form to which Legal
Counsel reasonably objects within five (5) business days after receipt thereof.
The Company shall not submit a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of
a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto without the
prior approval of Legal Counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. The Company shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge,
(i) any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or
its representatives relating to any Registration Statement, (ii) promptly after
the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one copy of any Registration
Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and
schedules and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration
Statement, one copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement
and all amendments and supplements thereto. The Company shall reasonably
cooperate with Legal Counsel in performing the Company's obligations pursuant to
this Section 3.

          d.  The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i)
promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of
such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, and all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii)
upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten (10) copies of the
prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and
supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may
reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any
preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from
time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Investor.

          e.  The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) register and qualify
the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under all other
securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United States, (ii)
prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-
effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications
as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the
Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to
maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the
Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or
advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection
therewith or as a condition thereto to (w) make any change in the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws that the Company's board of directors
determines in

                                       8
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good faith to be contrary to the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders, (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself
to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to
service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify
Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt
by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale
under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding
for such purpose.

          f.  As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event or
development, the Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing
of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a
Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or
amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or
omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal
Counsel and each Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or
such Investor may reasonably request).  The Company shall also promptly notify
Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective
(notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and each
Investor by facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness), (ii) of any
request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or
related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable
determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would
be appropriate.

          g.  The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of
any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement,
or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for
sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to
obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible
moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable
Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding
for such purpose.

          h.  At the reasonable request of any Investor and at such Investor's
expense, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the date of the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on
such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date,
from the  Company's independent certified public accountants in form and
substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to
underwriters in an underwritten public offering, and (ii) an opinion, dated as
of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such
Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in
an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors.

                                       9
<PAGE>

          i.  The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any
Investor, (ii) Legal Counsel and (iii) one firm of accountants or other agents
retained by the Investors (collectively, the "Inspectors") all pertinent
financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of
the Company (collectively, the "Records"), as shall be reasonably deemed
necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and
employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request;
provided, however, that each Inspector shall agree, and each Investor hereby
agrees, to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except
to an Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the Company
determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the
Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such
Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a
court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in
such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by
disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which the Inspector
has knowledge. The Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential
information in such Records to any Inspector until and unless such Inspector
shall have entered into confidentiality agreements with the Company with respect
thereto, substantially in the form of this Section 3(i). Each Investor agrees
that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by
a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means,
give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to
undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective
order for, the Records deemed confidential.

          j.  The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure
of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i)
disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the
release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final,
non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the
public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other
agreement, or (v) such Investor consents to the form and content of any such
disclosure.  The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of
such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or
governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt
written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain
a protective order for, such information.

          k.  The Company shall use its best efforts either to (i) cause all the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each
securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by
the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable
Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure
designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by

                                       10
<PAGE>

the Registration Statement on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the Nasdaq National
Market The American Stock Exchange, Inc., or The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its
obligation under this Section 3(k).

          l.  The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold
Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any
restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered
pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such
denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably
request and registered in such names as the Investors may request.

          m.  The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar of all
such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement.

          n.  If requested by an Investor, the Company shall (i) as soon as
practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such information as an Investor requests to be included therein relating to the
Investor or the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including,
without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable
Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any
other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such
offering; (ii) as soon as practicable make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the
matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement
if reasonably requested by an Investor of such Registrable Securities.

          o.  The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registrable
Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered
with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be
necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

          p.  The Company shall make generally available to its security holders
as soon as practical, but not later than 90 days after the close of the period
covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of
Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later
than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the effective
date of the Registration Statement.

          q.  The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with
all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any
registration hereunder.

          r.  Within two (2) business days after a Registration Statement which
covers applicable Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the
Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver,
to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the
Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
                                                    ---------

                                       11
<PAGE>

          s.  The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to
expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement.

          t.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3(f), at any
time after the applicable Registration Statement has been declared effective by
the SEC, the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public information
concerning the Company the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good
faith opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company and after consultation
with its counsel, in the best interest of the Company and is not otherwise
required (a "Grace Period"); provided, that the Company shall promptly (i)
notify the Investors in writing of the existence of material non-public
information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that in each notice the
Company will not disclose the content of such material non-public information to
the Investors) and the date on which the Grace Period will begin, and (ii)
notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends; and,
provided further, that no Grace Period shall exceed 20 consecutive days and
during any consecutive 365 day period, such Grace Periods shall not exceed an
aggregate of 40 days (an "Allowable Grace Period"); provided, however, that such
20 and 40 day periods shall be extended to 30 and 60 days, respectively, in the
event that such Grace Period is pursuant to an acquisition by the Company which
is required to be reported under Item 2 of Form 8-K and for which pro forma
financial information is required to be reported pursuant to Article II of
Regulation S-X promulgated under the 1933 Act.  For purposes of determining the
length of a Grace Period above, the Grace Period shall begin on and include the
date the holders receive the notice referred to in clause (i) and shall end on
and include the later of the date the holders receive the notice referred to in
clause (ii) and the date referred to in such notice.  The provisions of Sections
2(f) and 3(g) hereof shall not be applicable during the period of any Allowable
Grace Period.  Upon expiration of the Grace Period, the Company shall again be
bound by the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information
giving rise thereto unless such material non-public information is no longer
applicable.  Each Investor agrees that notice of a Grace Period shall trigger
such Investor's obligations under Section 4(c).

     4.   OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
          ----------------------------

          a.  At least seven (7) days prior to the first anticipated filing date
of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing
of the information the Company requires from each such Investor if such Investor
elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement.  It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of
the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect
to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable
Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration
of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection
with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.

                                       12
<PAGE>

          b.  Each Investor by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration
Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of
such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.

          c.  Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or
the first sentence of 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s)
covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies
of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(g) or the
first sentence of 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is
required.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its
transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of
an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement in
connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an
Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor's receipt of
a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in
Section 3(g) or the first sentence of 3(h) and for which the Investor has not
yet settled.

     5.   EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
          ------------------------

          All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all
registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees
shall be paid by the Company.  In addition, the Company shall reimburse the
Investors for the reasonable fees and disbursements of Legal Counsel in
connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2
and 3 of this Agreement, provided that the Company shall only reimburse that
amount, if any, equal to up to $10,000.

     6.   INDEMNIFICATION.
          ---------------

          In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration
Statement under this Agreement:

          a.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and
hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor, the directors,
officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if
any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") (each, an
"Indemnified Person"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, amounts
paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively, "Claims")
incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit,
inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or
before any court or governmental, administrative or other

                                       13
<PAGE>

regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or
not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto ("Indemnified Damages"),
to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or
proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of
or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the
offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in
which Registrable Securities are offered ("Blue Sky Filing"), or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such Registration
Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if
the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to
make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the
statements therein were made, not misleading or (iii) any violation or alleged
violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law,
including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or
regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing
clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively, "Violations"). Subject to Section
6(c), the Company shall reimburse the Investors and each such controlling
person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any
legal fees or disbursements or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in
connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement
contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified
Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an
Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if
such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section
3(d); (ii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure
of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the most recent
prospectus made available by the Company, if such prospectus was timely made
available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d); and (iii) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any Claim, if such settlement is effected without
the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person
and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors
pursuant to Section 9.

          b.  In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor
is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly
indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner
as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each an
"Indemnified Party"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of
them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar
as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any
Violation, in each case

                                       14
<PAGE>

to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and,
subject to Section 6(d), such Investor will reimburse any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution
contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such
Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further,
however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that
amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to
such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party
and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors
pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with
respect to any prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified
Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the
prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented.

          c.  Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or
proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim,
such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect
thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6,
deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof,
and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the
extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or
the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party,
if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing  interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and
any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding.  In the case of
an Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in the immediately preceding
sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding a majority in interest of
the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the
Claim relates.  The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate
fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense
of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the
indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party
or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim.  The indemnifying
party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at
all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with
respect thereto.  No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of
any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written

                                       15
<PAGE>

consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably
withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without
the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person,
consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other
compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by
the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a
release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Following
indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be
subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with
respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for
which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to
the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such
action.

          d.  The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by
periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation
or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.

          e.  The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to
(i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified
Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the
indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

     7.   CONTRIBUTION.
          ------------

          To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is
prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any other Person who was not guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities
shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller
from the sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement.

     8.   REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
          --------------------------

          With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule
144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of
the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the
Company to the public without registration ("Rule 144"), the Company agrees to:

          a.  make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;

                                       16
<PAGE>

          b.  file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and

          c.  furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable
Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that
it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and
the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the
Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii)
such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the investors to
sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.

     9.   ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
          ---------------------------------

          The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by
the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of Registrable Securities
in accordance with Section 2(f) of the Securities Purchase Agreement if: (i) the
Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign such
rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a
reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a  reasonable
time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the
name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with
respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned;
(iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment the further disposition
of such securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933
Act and applicable state securities laws; (iv) at or before the time the Company
receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence the
transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of
the provisions contained herein; and (v) such transfer shall have been made in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase
Agreement.  No transferee of registration rights under this Agreement shall be
entitled to include any Registrable Securities on a Registration Statement
unless it previously has provided the Company with written notice referred to in
clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.

     10.  AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
          --------------------------------

          Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof
may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and Investors who then hold at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Registrable
Securities which are then outstanding.  Any amendment or waiver effected in
accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the
Company.  No such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to
less than all of the holders of the Registrable Securities.  No consideration
shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or
modification of any provision of any of this Agreement unless the same
consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.

                                       17
<PAGE>

     11.  MISCELLANEOUS.
          -------------

          a.  A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities
whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable
Securities.  If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable
Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or
election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.

          b.  Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or
permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and
will be deemed to have been delivered:  (i) upon receipt, when delivered
personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of
transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the
sending party); or (iii) one business day after deposit with a nationally
recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the
party to receive the same.  The addresses and facsimile numbers for such
communications shall be:

          If to the Company:

              RoweCom Inc.
              725 Concord Avenue
              Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
              Telephone:    617-497-5800
              Facsimile:    617-497-6825
              Attention:    Louis Hernandez
                            Executive Vice President and
                            Chief Financial Officer

          With a copy to:

              Bingham Dana LLP
              150 Federal Street
              Boston, Massachusetts 02110
              Telephone:    617-951-8000
              Facsimile:    617-951-8736
              Attention:    Brian Keeler, Esq.

          If to Legal Counsel:

              Katten Muchin & Zavis
              525 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
              Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
              Telephone:    312-902-5200
              Facsimile:    312-902-1061
              Attention:    Robert J. Brantman, Esq.

                                       18
<PAGE>

If to a Buyer, to its address and facsimile number on the Schedule of Buyers
attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's representatives as set forth on the
Schedule of Buyers or to such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to
the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by
written notice given to each other party five days prior to the effectiveness of
such change.  Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such
notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or
electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine containing the time,
date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such
transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be
rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a
nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i),
(ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

          c.  Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.

          d.  The corporate laws of the State of Delaware shall govern all
issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and its stockholders.  All
other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and
interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions)
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the
State of New York.  Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting the City of New York,
borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in
connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed
herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit,
action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the
jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought
in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is
improper.  Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and
consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by
mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under
this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient
service of process and notice thereof.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed
to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the
validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other
jurisdiction.  EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND
AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE
HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

                                       19
<PAGE>

          e.  This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Warrants
and the Notes constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  There are no restrictions,
promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to
herein and therein.  This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the
Warrants and the Notes supersede all prior agreements and understandings among
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

          f.  Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns
of each of the parties hereto.

          g.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

          h.  This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the
same agreement.  This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to
the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement
bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.

          i.  Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.

          j.  All consents and other determinations to be made by the Investors
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this
Agreement, by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities,
determined as if all of the Notes and the Warrants then outstanding have been
converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities without regard to any
limitation on conversions of the Notes or exercises of the Warrants.

          k.  The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.

          l.  This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the
benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.


                                *  *  *  *  *  *

                                       20
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Buyers and the Company have caused this Securities
Purchase Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

COMPANY:                                BUYER:

ROWECOM INC.                            HFTP INVESTMENT L.L.C.
                                        By:  Promethean Asset Management, L.L.C.
                                        Its: Investment Manager

By: /s/ Louis Hernandez, Jr.            By: /s/ James F. O'Brien, Jr.
    --------------------------------        -----------------------------------
Name:   Louis Hernandez, Jr.            Name:   James F. O'Brien, Jr.
Title:  Executive Vice President and    Its:    Managing Member
         Chief Financial Officer



                                        LEONARDO, L.P.

                                        By: Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P.


                                            By: /s/ Michael L. Gordon
                                                -------------------------------
                                            Name:   Michael L. Gordon
                                            Title:  Chief Operating Officer

<PAGE>

                               SCHEDULE OF BUYERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Investor Address                  Investor's Representatives' Address
            Investor Name                        and Facsimile Number                       and Facsimile Number
-----------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                                         <C>
HFTP Investment L.L.C.                   c/o Promethean Asset Management, L.L.C. Promethean Asset Management, L.L.C.
                                         750 Lexington Avenue                    750 Lexington Avenue
                                         22/nd/ Floor                            22/nd/ Floor
                                         New York, New York 10022                New York, New York 10022
                                         Attn:  James F. O'Brien, Jr.            Attn:  James F. O'Brien, Jr.
                                         John Floegel                            John Floegel
                                         Telephone: 212-702-5200                 Telephone: 212-702-5200
                                         Facsimile: 212-758-9334                 Facsimile: 212-758-9334
                                         Residence: New York
                                                                                 Katten Muchin & Zavis
                                                                                 525 West Monroe
                                                                                 Suite 1600
                                                                                 Chicago, Illinois  60661-3693
                                                                                 Attn:  Robert J. Brantman, Esq.
                                                                                 Telephone: 312-902-5200
                                                                                 Facsimile: 312-902-1061
Leonardo, L.P.                           c/o Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P.          c/o Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P.
                                         245 Park Avenue - 26/th/ Floor          245 Park Avenue - 26/th/ Floor
                                         New York, New York 10167                New York, New York 10167
                                         Attention: Gary Wolf or Ari Storch      Attention: Gary Wolf or Ari Storch
                                         Telephone: 212-692-2035                 Telephone: 212-692-2035
                                         Facsimile: 212-867-6449                 Facsimile: 212-867-6449
                                         Residence: Cayman Islands
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                        FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
                           OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

[TRANSFER AGENT]
Attn:______________

          Re:  RoweCom Inc.
               ------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We are counsel to RoweCom Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
have represented the Company in connection with that certain Securities Purchase
Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") entered into by and among the Company and
the Buyer named therein (collectively, the "Holders") pursuant to which the
Company issued to the Holders of convertible notes (the "Notes") convertible
into shares of the Company's common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the
"Common Stock") and the related Warrants (the "the Warrants") to acquire shares
of Common Stock.  Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also has
entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the "Registration
Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to
register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Notes and exercise of the Warrants, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "1933 Act").  In connection with the Company's obligations under the
Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ____, the Company filed a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-_____________) (the
"Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as
a selling stockholder thereunder.

     In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the SEC's
staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring
the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME OF
EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge, after
telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        [ISSUER'S COUNSEL]

                                        By:_________________________

cc:  [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]