Patent ID: 7392234

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of managing a file lifecycle, the method comprising the steps of storing data on a storage medium comprising: associating a set of lifecycle policies with a file in a file system, wherein said lifecycle policies relate to aspects of file classification and file disposition including at least one of: file creation, file retention, file reference, file non-use, file security, file protection, file preservation, file storage locations within a storage medium, cost effective storage of a file, or file expiration; storing said file on said storage medium accessible by a computer according to said set of lifecycle policies; automatically determining from the associated lifecycle policies whenever said file is to be moved; automatically moving said file according to the associated lifecycle policies to another storage location within said storage medium or within a different storage medium whenever the associated lifecycle policies determine that said file is to be moved; and receiving an access request for said file from an application; providing transparent access to said requested file based on said associated set of lifecycle policies, regardless of where said file is located, and independently of said application requesting access to said file.