the present invention is an email control system that utilizes the concepts used in everyday client / server applications where permissions determine the behavior of such systems . because current permissions strategies are too limiting and archaic in their intelligence and implementation , a new permissions system is to be developed that will use the current client / server applications system as an evolutionary step . the present invention teaches that there are basically three incarnations of the email permissions : supplied — where specific permissions are supplied and are very precise in what actions are to be taken ; seek — in this case the email has a built in requirement to go out and seek permissions that may be held on a server somewhere and may in the meantime have changed a number of times — very much dependant on the whims of the sender ; and clarify — in this case permissions need clarification according to certain events that may or may not apply and therefore may seek supplied permissions or seek permissions .