Patent ID: 7305627

Claim:
A method, in a first data processing system, of correcting a previously sent instant message, comprising: activating a correction operation in the first data processing system by selecting the previously sent instant message from a message log and operating one of a physical and a virtual control for initiating correction of the selected previously sent instant message by opening a newly displayed correction window on a graphical user interface provided by the first data processing system, wherein the correction window has the selected previously sent instant message from the message log automatically displayed in the correction window for subsequent correction by a user of the first data processing system; responsive to the correction operation being activated, automatically sending a notification command to a second data processing system that was a recipient of the previously sent instant message indicating that correction of the previously sent instant message is in progress; receiving corrections to the previously sent instant message in the newly displayed correction window; and transmitting the corrections to the second data processing system.