Patent ID: 7155465

Claim:
In a digital data processing system having a first file storage system adapted to store a first file, a method for archiving said stored file, comprising: providing a second file storage system adapted to store files; storing in said second file storage system a first copy of said first file; storing in a first record the time said first copy is stored in said second file storage system; selectively applying a predetermined graceful degradation filter to said first record, the filter comprising at least: a first age interval criterion adapted to select said first copy for retention if said first copy is the most recent copy of said first file stored in said second file storage system; and a second age interval criterion adapted to select said first copy for retention if said first copy is the only copy of said first file stored in said second file storage system; and if said first copy is not selected for retention by said filter, deleting said first copy from said second file storage system.