Patent ID: 8291023

Claim:
A method for regulating electronic messages comprising: receiving, by a server, a first input that specifies an identifier that is unique to an electronic message source to be registered; recording, by the server, profile information for the electronic message source, the profile information comprising an indication whether the electronic message source has agreed to pay for an e-mail usage report; receiving a second input specifying target statistics for the electronic message source to be registered, wherein the target statistics operate as benchmarks for determining whether a plurality of electronic messages received from the electronic message source to be registered are acceptable, wherein the second input specifies the target statistics based on an agreement to pay for delivery of the plurality of electronic messages from the electronic message source and on the agreement which further specifies a receipt of a number electronic messages from the electronic message source during off-peak hours wherein the plurality of electronic messages comprise email messages and instant messages; registering the electronic message source and storing information identifying the target statistics for the electronic message source that has been registered; receiving a particular electronic message; if a source of the particular electronic message is the electronic message source that has been registered: updating, by the server, statistics related to the electronic message source that has been registered, based on the particular electronic message received from the electronic message source that has been registered; comparing the statistics updated to the target statistics; and taking a remedial action with respect to the particular electronic messages received if the statistics updated for the electronic message source that has been registered conflict with the target statistics; and if a source of the particular electronic message has not been registered: identifying a source category to which the source of the particular electronic message source is related; accessing source category target statistics associated with the source category, wherein the source category target statistics specify an acceptable volume of emails; comparing the statistics updated for the source of the particular electronic message to the source category target statistics; and taking a second remedial action if the statistics updated for the source of the particular electronic message source conflict with the source category target statistics.