A DIGITAL E-MAIL CERTIFICATE

摘要

The present invention deals with ensuring a sender abides to their e-mail policy. An e-mail certification authority (CA) receives a request from a third party to certify their e-mail policy. The CA authenticates the identity of the third party and requests a copy of the third party's e-mail policy for accurate representation. Upon signing an agreement of adherence to the policy, the third party is issued with a digital e-mail certificate containing a concise, computer readable version of their e-mail policy. This certificate is valid for a limited amount of time and would typically be subject to renewal. The third party is issued with software which binds the digital e-mail policy certificate in a data form to all outgoing e-mail, and transmits it with e-mail sent by the third party. Another software module filters all incoming e-mail by reviewing a digital e-mail policy certificate attached to the e-mail and ensuring that this complies with the e-mail policy of the receiving party.