Patent ID: 7895278

Claim:
A method for automatically modifying an electronic distribution list using predefined rules, said method comprising: detecting a submitted electronic message that includes an initial distribution list consisting of at least one entry to which the electronic message is to be transmitted; intercepting the detected electronic message; examining the at least one entry in the initial distribution list included in the intercepted electronic message; responsive to said examining, ascertaining that a rules database comprises at least one rule that is applicable to the at least one entry in the initial distribution list; responsive to said ascertaining, generating a modified distribution list from the initial distribution list by applying the at least one rule to the at least one entry in the initial distribution list, said modified distribution list resulting from said applying the at least one rule consisting of a plurality of entries, said plurality of entries consisting of at the least one entry and at least one additional entry to which the electronic message is to be transmitted; and after said generating the modified distribution list, transmitting the electronic message to each entry of the plurality of entries in the modified distribution list.