Exciting!
Ayyadurai has a press release on this: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inventor-of-email-dr-shiva-ayyadurai-sues-gawker-media-300266192.html.
The blog headline says “Shiva Ayyadurai Sues Gawker for $35 Million for Saying He Didn’t Invent Email,” but the PR release suggests that the case is actually focused on intemperate assessments of Ayyadurai’s personal character:
Gawker Media, LLC published on two of its blog sites (Gawker and Gizmodo) in 2012-2014, several false and defamatory statements about Dr. Ayyadurai, including calling him a "fraud," a "liar" and a "fake." These demonstrably false statements have caused long term harm to Dr. Ayyadurai's personal and professional reputation and career. Dr. Ayyadurai seeks a prominent retraction, apology, and damages.
Mike Masnick is on the case: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160511/10135934407/guy-who-didnt-invent-email-sues-gawker-pointing-out-he-didnt-invent-email.shtml. His assessment: “the actual lawsuit is a joke.” He links the complaint: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2829697/Gov-Uscourts-Mad-180248-1-0.pdf. Two quick observations about the complaint. (1) he quotes renowned historian Mo Rocca in support of his claim. (2) Much of it seems to consist of general complaints about Gawker’s poor journalistic standards.
Best wishes,
Tom
From: Members [mailto:members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org] On Behalf Of Dave Walden
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 11:49 AM
To: members@lists.sigcis.org
Subject: [SIGCIS-Members] Shiva and Ray Tomlinson in Boston Magazine (Shiva sues Gawker)