In 1997, David J. Mason created a stand-alone electronic book (ebook) in a general-purpose programming language that did not require an ebook reader and was usable on any device running on the Windows Operating System. The ebook that Mr. Mason created was entitled, “Environmental Compliance Sources Manual for Windows” and in 2001, the Library of Congress awarded him a copyright for the ebook under Registration Number TXu001068161 though they described the ebooks as a computer program. To produce, distribute and promote the ebooks he created and other digital publications, he founded HMG ePublishing LLC, a digital publishing company. He is the first or one of the first African American ebook author, creator, and digital publisher.