SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING EMAIL ATTACHMENTS

摘要

There is disclosed a system and method for distributing email attachments. I n an embodiment, a peer-to-peer network is used to distribute attachments among email recipients. A metadata file is generated and sent to a central tracking server, as provided for example on the sender's local email server. The central tracking server may maintain an access control list, track mail recipients, track peers sharing the file attachment, and track which pieces of the attachment that each peer has. In lieu of the file attachment, each recipient of the email may receive a token or stub representing the fil e attachment. The stub may contain metadata about the file attachment with information for querying the central tracking server. A file download request may be initiated by a recipient via the stub. The recipient's local email client may query the central tracking serv er to obtain authorized access to a peer-to-peer network to download the file attachment. Distribution of the file attachment via email may be controlled by controlling the additi on of recipients to the access control list. Only authorized recipients on the access control list are permitted to download the file via the peer-to-peer network.