" 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. "
- Shiva Ayyadurai

In the statement under consideration, Shiva Ayyadurai explains his creation of a software program called EMAIL, which was an innovative term at the time and had never been used before in the English language. His invention earned him a unique copyright from the U.S., officially establishing him as the inventor of email during a period when copyrights were the primary means to acknowledge software innovations since patents for such inventions were not yet recognized by the Supreme Court.

The deeper meaning behind Ayyadurai's words reveals the significance of his contribution to technology and communication. His creation marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital communication, as it was one of the first instances where electronic mail began to take shape as we know it today. Moreover, the quote highlights the legal landscape at the time, emphasizing how intellectual property rights for software were handled through copyright rather than patents, underscoring the challenges faced by innovators like Ayyadurai in securing recognition and protection for their work.

Shiva Ayyadurai is an inventor and entrepreneur who made significant contributions to computer science and digital communication. His creation of EMAIL was groundbreaking, and it paved the way for modern email systems that have become integral to our daily lives. Beyond his technical achievements, Ayyadurai's work also reflects on broader issues in intellectual property law and innovation policy, making him a notable figure in both technology and legal circles.