EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST MEMBERSHIP GOVERNANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, including the steps of monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by members of the email distribution lists, ascertaining that a particular member of at least one of the email distribution lists has not accessed the at least one of the email distribution lists for a predetermined period of time, and responsive to the ascertaining, at least one of recommending revoking membership of the particular member to the at least one of the email distribution lists and automatically revoking membership of the particular member to the at least one of the email distribution lists.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to email distribution list membership governance systems and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,465,387; 5,899,991; 6,338,082; 6,393,468; 6,928,439; 7,031,984; 7,068,592; 7,403,925; 7,421,740; 7,555,482 and 7,606,801; and

U.S. Published Patent Application Nos. 2003/0051026; 2004/0249847; 2005/0108206; 2005/0203881; 2005/0120054; 2005/0086529; 2006/0064313; 2006/0184530; 2006/0184459 and 2007/0203872.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide email distribution list membership governance systems and methods.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, including the steps of monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by members of the email distribution lists, ascertaining that a particular member of at least one of the email distribution lists has not accessed the at least one of the email distribution lists for a predetermined period of time, and responsive to the ascertaining, at least one of recommending revoking membership of the particular member to the at least one of the email distribution lists and automatically revoking membership of the particular member to the at least one of the email distribution lists.

Preferably, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received via the at least one of the distribution lists, to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received via the at least one of the distribution lists, to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists, to the at least one member. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, including the steps of monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by users of the email system, ascertaining that a particular user of the email system has regularly accessed at least one of the email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time, and responsive to the ascertaining, at least one of recommending granting membership to the particular user to the at least one of the email distribution lists and automatically granting membership to the particular user to the at least one of the email distribution lists.

Preferably, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received via the at least one of the distribution lists, to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists.

There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention an email distribution list membership governance system for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, the system including an email monitoring subsystem operable for monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by members of the email distribution lists, and an email distribution list membership recommendation subsystem operable for ascertaining that a particular member of at least one of the email distribution lists has not accessed the at least one of the email distribution lists for a predetermined period of time, and for recommending, responsive to the ascertaining, revoking membership of the particular member to the at least one of the email distribution lists.

Preferably, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from the at least one of the distribution lists, to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from the at least one of the distribution lists, to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists, to the at least one member. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists.

There is yet further provided in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention an email distribution list membership governance system for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, the system including an email monitoring subsystem operable for monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system, by users of the email system, and an email distribution list membership recommendation subsystem operable for ascertaining that a particular user of the email system has regularly accessed at least one of the email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time and for recommending, responsive to the ascertaining, granting membership to the particular user to the at least one of the email distribution lists.

Preferably, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from the at least one of the distribution lists, to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention an email distribution list membership governance system for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, the system including an email monitoring subsystem operable for monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by members of email distribution lists of an email system and an email distribution list membership management subsystem operable for ascertaining that a particular member of at least one of the email distribution lists has not accessed the at least one of the email distribution lists for a predetermined period of time, and, responsive to the ascertaining, for automatically revoking membership of the particular member to the at least one of the email distribution lists.

Preferably, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from the at least one of the distribution lists, to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from the at least one of the distribution lists, to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists, to the at least one member. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists.

There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention an email distribution list membership governance system for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, the system including an email monitoring subsystem operable for monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system, by users of the email system and an email distribution list membership management subsystem operable for ascertaining that a particular user of the email system has regularly accessed at least one of the email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time and, responsive to the ascertaining, for automatically granting membership to the particular user to the at least one of the email distribution lists.

Preferably, the access includes sending an email to the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists to email distribution lists includes replying to an email received from the at least one of the distribution lists, to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists. Additionally or alternatively, the access to email distribution lists includes sending an email to at least one member of the at least one of the distribution lists.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E are simplified pictorial illustrations of examples of steps in the operation of a computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified block diagram illustrations of steps in the operation of the method of FIGS. 1A-1E;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are simplified pictorial illustrations of an example of steps in the operation of a computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified block diagram illustrations of steps in the operation of the method of FIGS. 3A-3C; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are simplified block diagram illustrations of a system which implements the method of FIGS. 1A-4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of examples of steps in the operation of a computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The method illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1E preferably includes monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by members of the email distribution lists.

For the purposes of this application, the term “access to an email distribution list” is defined as email correspondence with at least a portion of the members of a distribution list, and may include, for example, any of the following:

receiving emails via the distribution list;

replying to emails received via the distribution list, to the distribution list;

sending emails to the distribution list;

replying to emails received via the distribution list, to particular members of the distribution list;

replying to emails received from particular members of the distribution list, to the particular members of the distribution list; and

sending emails to particular members of the distribution list.

Preferably, the method also includes ascertaining that a particular member of at least one of the email distribution lists has not accessed the email distribution list for a predetermined period of time, and, responsive to the ascertaining, at least one of recommending revoking membership of the particular member to the email distribution list and automatically revoking membership of the particular member to the email distribution list.

The method illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1E is preferably implemented by a system which resides on a server 100 connected to an enterprise-wide computer network 102 having disparate servers 104 and computer 106 connected thereto. Network 102 preferably also comprises at least one email server 110. The system of server 100 preferably continuously monitors and collects updated information regarding access, by members of email distribution lists hosted by email server 110, to the email distribution lists.

As shown in particular in FIG. 1A, John, a user of email server 110, periodically receives emails via an email distribution list associated with the legal department of a company served by email server 110. On a particular date, such as Apr. 10, 2012, it is shown that John has not replied to emails received via the legal department distribution list for at least the last three months.

As further shown in FIG. 1A, an IT Manager utilizing the system of server 100, receives a recommendation from server 100 stating that John has not replied to emails received via the legal distribution list for at least the last three months, and that therefore, due to John's lack of access to the distribution list, John's membership to the legal distribution list should be revoked. It is appreciated that refraining to reply to a distribution list by a member of the distribution list is characteristic of a member for whom the content distributed on the distribution list is no longer relevant.

Alternatively, the system of server 100 may automatically revoke John's membership to the legal distribution list.

Turning now to FIG. 1B, it is shown that John periodically utilizes email server 110 to send email messages to various employees of the company. On a particular date, such as Apr. 10, 2012, it is shown that John has not sent emails to the legal department distribution list for at least the last three months.

As further shown in FIG. 1B, the IT Manager, utilizing the system of server 100, receives a recommendation from server 100 stating that John has not sent emails to the legal distribution list for at least the last three months, and that therefore, due to John's lack of access to the distribution list, John's membership to the legal distribution list should be revoked. It is appreciated that refraining from sending emails to a distribution list by a member of the distribution list is characteristic of a member for whom membership to the distribution list is no longer necessary.

Alternatively, the system of server 100 may automatically revoke John's membership to the legal distribution list.

Turning now to FIG. 1C, it is shown that John utilizes email server 110 to reply to an email message he received via the legal department distribution list, however he chooses to reply only to Frank, who is a particular member of the legal department distribution list.

As further shown in FIG. 1C, the IT Manager, utilizing the system of server 100, receives a recommendation from server 100 stating that John, on a regular basis, does not reply to the legal department distribution list when receiving emails via the legal department distribution list, and that therefore, due to John's lack of access to the distribution list, John's membership to the legal distribution list should be revoked. It is appreciated that refraining to reply to a distribution list by a member of the distribution list is characteristic of a member for whom the content distributed on the distribution list is no longer relevant.

Alternatively, the system of server 100 may automatically revoke John's membership to the legal distribution list.

Turning now to FIG. 1D, it is shown that John periodically receives emails from members of the legal department distribution list. On a particular date, such as Apr. 10, 2012, it is shown that John has not replied to emails received from members of the legal department distribution list for at least the last three months.

As further shown in FIG. 1D, an IT Manager utilizing the system of server 100, receives a recommendation from server 100 stating that John has not replied to emails received from members of the legal department distribution list for at least the last three months, and that therefore, due to John's lack of access to the distribution list, John's membership to the legal distribution list should be revoked. It is appreciated that refraining to reply to members of a distribution list by a member of the distribution list is characteristic of a member for whom the content distributed on the distribution list is no longer relevant.

Alternatively, the system of server 100 may automatically revoke John's membership to the legal distribution list.

Turning now to FIG. 1E, it is shown that John periodically utilizes email server 110 to send email messages to various employees of the company. On a particular date, such as Apr. 10, 2012, it is shown that John has sent various emails to members of a distribution list associated with the finance department of the company during the last three months, but not to members of the legal department distribution list.

As further shown in FIG. 1E, the IT Manager, utilizing the system of server 100, receives a recommendation from server 100 stating that John has not sent emails to the legal distribution list for at least the last three months, and that therefore, due to John's lack of access to the distribution list, John's membership to the legal distribution list should be revoked. It is appreciated that refraining from sending emails to a distribution list by a member of the distribution list is characteristic of a member for whom membership to the distribution list is no longer necessary.

Alternatively, the system of server 100 may automatically revoke John's membership to the legal distribution list.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which are simplified block diagram illustrations of steps in the operation of the method of FIGS. 1A-1E.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system of FIGS. 1A-1E, includes continuously monitoring and collecting updated information regarding access to email distribution lists by members of the email distribution lists (200).

Upon ascertaining that a particular member of one of the email distribution lists has not accessed the email distribution list for a predetermined period of time (202), the method includes recommending revoking membership of the particular member to the email distribution list (204).

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, the computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system of FIGS. 1A-1E, includes continuously monitoring and collecting updated information regarding access to email distribution lists by members of the email distribution lists (210).

Upon ascertaining that a particular member of one of the email distribution lists has not accessed the email distribution list for a predetermined period of time (212), the method includes automatically revoking membership of the particular member to the email distribution list (214).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of an example of steps in the operation of a computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists in an enterprise email system, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The method illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C preferably includes monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access, by users of the email system, to the email distribution lists.

Preferably, the method also includes ascertaining that a particular user of the email system has regularly accessed at least one of the email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time, and at least one of recommending granting membership to the particular user to the email distribution list and automatically granting membership to the particular user to the email distribution list.

The method illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C is preferably implemented by a system which resides on a server 300 connected to an enterprise-wide computer network 302 having disparate servers 304 and computer 306 connected thereto. Network 302 preferably also comprises at least one email server 310. The system of server 300 preferably continuously monitors and collects updated information regarding access, by users of an email system hosted on email server 310, to the email distribution lists.

Turning now to FIG. 3A, it is shown that John periodically utilizes email server 310 to send email messages to various employees of a company served by email server 310. On a particular date, such as Apr. 10, 2012, it is shown that John has frequently sent emails to the finance department distribution list during the last three months.

As further shown in FIG. 3A, the IT Manager, utilizing the system of server 300, receives a recommendation from server 300 stating that John has frequently sent emails to the finance distribution list during the last three months, and that therefore, due to John's frequent access to the distribution list, John should be granted membership to the finance distribution list. It is appreciated that sending emails to a distribution list by a user is characteristic of a user for whom membership to the distribution list may be necessary.

Alternatively, the system of server 300 may automatically grant John membership to the finance distribution list.

Turning now to FIG. 3B, it is shown that John periodically receives emails from members of the finance department distribution list. On a particular date, such as Apr. 10, 2012, it is shown that John has frequently replied to emails received from members of the finance department distribution list during the last three months.

As further shown in FIG. 3B, an IT Manager utilizing the system of server 300, receives a recommendation from server 300 stating that John has frequently replied to emails received from members of the finance department distribution list during the last three months, and that therefore, due to John's frequent access to the distribution list, John should be granted membership to the finance distribution list. It is appreciated that replying to members of a distribution list by a user is characteristic of a user for whom membership to the distribution list may be necessary.

Alternatively, the system of server 300 may automatically grant John membership to the finance distribution list.

Turning now to FIG. 3C, it is shown that John periodically utilizes email server 310 to send email messages to various employees of the company. On a particular date, such as Apr. 10, 2012, it is shown that John has sent various emails to members of the finance department distribution list during the last three months.

As further shown in FIG. 3C, the IT Manager, utilizing the system of server 300, receives a recommendation from server 300 stating that John has frequently sent emails to members of the finance distribution list during least the last three months, and that therefore, due to John's frequent access to the distribution list, John should be granted membership to the finance distribution list. It is appreciated that sending emails to members of a distribution list by a user is characteristic of a user for whom membership to the distribution list may be necessary.

Alternatively, the system of server 300 may automatically grant John membership to the finance distribution list.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are simplified block diagram illustrations of steps in the operation of the method of FIGS. 3A-3C.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system of FIGS. 3A-3C, includes continuously monitoring and collecting updated information regarding access to email distribution lists by users of the email system (400).

Upon ascertaining that a particular user of the email system has regularly accessed at least one of the email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time (402), the method includes recommending granting membership to the particular user to the email distribution list (404).

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, the computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists in an enterprise email system of FIGS. 3A-3C, includes continuously monitoring and collecting updated information regarding access to email distribution lists by users of the email system (410).

Upon ascertaining that a particular user of the email system has regularly accessed at least one of the email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time (412), the method includes automatically granting membership to the particular user to the email distribution list (414).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are simplified block diagram illustrations of a system which implements the method of FIGS. 1A-4B. As shown in FIGS. 5A & 5B, the email distribution list membership governance system 500 preferably includes an email monitoring subsystem 502 which communicates with an enterprise email system 504 and continuously monitors and collects updated information regarding access, by users of the email system, to email distribution lists.

As shown in particular in FIG. 5A, email monitoring subsystem 502 also preferably communicates with an email distribution list membership recommendation subsystem 506, which is operative, responsive to information received from email monitoring subsystem 502, to recommend granting or revoking membership of a user to an email distribution list.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, email monitoring subsystem 502 communicates with an email distribution list membership management subsystem 516 which is operative, responsive to information received from email monitoring subsystem 502, to automatically grant or revoke membership of a user to an email distribution list on email server 504.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, comprising the steps of: monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by members of said email distribution lists;ascertaining that a particular member of at least one of said email distribution lists has not accessed said at least one of said email distribution lists for a predetermined period of time; andresponsive to said ascertaining, at least one of recommending revoking membership of said particular member to said at least one of said email distribution lists and automatically revoking membership of said particular member to said at least one of said email distribution lists.

2. A computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists according to claim 1 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received via said at least one of said distribution lists, to said at least one of said distribution lists.

3. A computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists according to claim 1 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to said at least one of said distribution lists.

4. A computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists according to claim 1 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received via said at least one of said distribution lists, to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

5. A computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists according to claim 1 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists, to said at least one member.

6. A computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists according to claim 1 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

7. A computer-implemented method for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, comprising the steps of: monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by users of said email system;ascertaining that a particular user of said email system has regularly accessed at least one of said email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time; andresponsive to said ascertaining, at least one of recommending granting membership to said particular user to said at least one of said email distribution lists and automatically granting membership to said particular user to said at least one of said email distribution lists.

8. A computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists according to claim 7 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to said at least one of said distribution lists.

9. A computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists according to claim 7 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received via said at least one of said distribution lists, to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

10. A computer-implemented method for controlling membership to email distribution lists according to claim 7 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

11. An email distribution list membership governance system for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, said system comprising: an email monitoring subsystem operable for monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by members of said email distribution lists; andan email distribution list membership recommendation subsystem operable for ascertaining that a particular member of at least one of said email distribution lists has not accessed said at least one of said email distribution lists for a predetermined period of time, and for recommending, responsive to said ascertaining, revoking membership of said particular member to said at least one of said email distribution lists.

12. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 11 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from said at least one of said distribution lists, to said at least one of said distribution lists.

13. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 11 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to said at least one of said distribution lists.

14. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 11 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from said at least one of said distribution lists, to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

15. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 11 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists, to said at least one member.

16. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 11 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

17. An email distribution list membership governance system for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, said system comprising: an email monitoring subsystem operable for monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system, by users of said email system; andan email distribution list membership recommendation subsystem operable for ascertaining that a particular user of said email system has regularly accessed at least one of said email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time and for recommending, responsive to said ascertaining, granting membership to said particular user to said at least one of said email distribution lists.

18. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 17 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to said at least one of said distribution lists.

19. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 17 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from said at least one of said distribution lists, to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

20. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 17 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

21. An email distribution list membership governance system for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, said system comprising: an email monitoring subsystem operable for monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system by members of email distribution lists of an email system; andan email distribution list membership management subsystem operable for ascertaining that a particular member of at least one of said email distribution lists has not accessed said at least one of said email distribution lists for a predetermined period of time, and, responsive to said ascertaining, for automatically revoking membership of said particular member to said at least one of said email distribution lists.

22. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 21 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from said at least one of said distribution lists, to said at least one of said distribution lists.

23. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 21 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to said at least one of said distribution lists.

24. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 21 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from said at least one of said distribution lists, to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

25. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 21 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists, to said at least one member.

26. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 21 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

27. An email distribution list membership governance system for controlling email distribution list membership in an enterprise email system, said system comprising: an email monitoring subsystem operable for monitoring and collecting continuously updated information regarding access to email distribution lists of an email system, by users of said email system; andan email distribution list membership management subsystem operable for ascertaining that a particular user of said email system has regularly accessed at least one of said email distribution lists during a predetermined period of time and, responsive to said ascertaining, for automatically granting membership to said particular user to said at least one of said email distribution lists.

28. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 27 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to said at least one of said distribution lists.

29. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 27 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises replying to an email received from said at least one of said distribution lists, to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.

30. An email distribution list membership governance system according to claim 27 and wherein said access to email distribution lists comprises sending an email to at least one member of said at least one of said distribution lists.