Patent ID: 7305430
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing data storage requirements of a mail server, the method comprising the steps of: determining the size of an incoming email message addressed to multiple recipients, wherein the incoming message has a certain size; determining a selected recipient count for recipients of the email message, the selected recipient count indicating how many of the recipients have mailboxes on the mail server; calculating a total amount of storage that would be needed to store copies of the message in each one of the recipient's mailboxes on the mail server, the calculating being a function of the size of the incoming email message and the selected recipient count; comparing the calculated total amount of storage to a predetermined limit; and selecting between i) storing copies of the message in the respective mailboxes of the multiple recipients, such that multiple copies of the message are stored on the mail server in the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and ii) storing for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and sharing among the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, only a single copy of the incoming message on the mail server as a shared message for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, wherein the selecting is responsive to the comparing.