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Method and system for selectively blocking delivery of bulk electronic mail

  • US 7,194,515 B2
  • Filed: 04/03/2003
  • Issued: 03/20/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a computer for the purpose of validating e-mail messages to enable blocking of unwanted ones of said e-mail messages, said method comprising the steps of:

  • preparing, in response to the receipt of a predetermined e-mail message, a data key encoding information reflective of some aspect of said predetermined e-mail message;

    issuing a challenge e-mail message including said data key;

    detecting whether a response e-mail message, responsive to said challenge e-mail message, is received and whether said response e-mail message includes a response key encoding predetermined information reflective of a predetermined aspect of said challenge e-mail message;

    recording, in response to receipt of said response key, a source address in a verified source address list; and

    accepting receipt of said predetermined e-mail message on condition that the source address is recorded in said verified source address list and alternatively on condition that said predetermined e-mail message includes said response key.

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