Court Quote by Shiva Ayyadurai
“I named my software 'EMAIL,' (a term never used before in the English language), and I even received the first U.S. Copyright for that software, officially recognizing me as The Inventor of Email, at a time when Copyright was the only way to recognize software inventions, since the U.S. Supreme Court was not recognizing software patents.”
About This Quote
Source Patent: U.S. Copyright Registration for EMAIL, 1982
He claims pioneering authorship of email, using copyright to secure recognition when patents were unavailable.
In simple terms: He says he invented email and got a copyright for it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize non‑patent routes for software protection.
Themes
innovation
legal strategy
technology history
Mood
proud
defiant
Type
historical
legal
When to use this quote
- startup founders
- legal counsel
- tech historians
- educators
Key Concepts
intellectual property
software development
recognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How does legal protection affect technological adoption?
- What other avenues exist for software inventors?
A Different Perspective
Copyright alone may not guarantee broader industry acknowledgment.
