Patent ID: 7200590

Claim:
A method for sharing data in a messaging environment, comprising: transferring a first search result for a search, based on a particular set of search terms, from a first application on a first client to a first instant messaging environment on the first client; in response to user input received by the first instant messaging environment: transferring search data associated with the search over a network to a second instant messaging environment on a second client; and causing a control to be presented in the second instant messaging environment on the second client; in response to user selection of the control presented in the second instant messaging environment: transferring said search data from said second instant messaging environment on the second client to a second application on said second client; transferring a second search result from said second application to said second instant messaging environment; and providing, in the second instant messaging environment, said second search result based on the search data, wherein the second search result reflects a search that was performed based said particular set of search terms.