MESSAGING STAMP AUTHORITY

1 . A method of processing electronic messages using a stamp authority, the method comprising:

receiving an electronic message;

identifying a stamp associated with the electronic message;

determining if the stamp is valid; and

if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the electronic message from electronic messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the electronic message includes receiving a first message with communications intended for receipt by a user and a second message with the stamp that is associated with the first message, wherein the first message and the second message are separate and distinct communications.

3 . The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the electronic message includes receiving the electronic message with the stamp included in the message.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the stamp includes performing a cryptographic operation to authenticate the stamp with a key management system.

5 . The method of claim 1 wherein determining if the stamp is valid includes determining if the stamp has been used previously.

6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising executing a stamp transaction indicating the stamp has been used.

7 . The method of claim 6 wherein executing the stamp transaction includes canceling the stamp from being used in the future.

8 . The method of claim 6 wherein executing the stamp transaction includes adjusting a counter indicating a number of times the stamp may be used.

9 . The method of claim 1 wherein determining if the stamp is valid includes polling a stamp authority to determine that the stamp was validly issued.

10 . A method of exchanging electronic messages using a stamp authority, the method comprising:

receiving an electronic message for transmission;

receiving a request to associate a stamp with the electronic message;

determining an identity associated with a user generating the electronic message for transmission;

determining a stamp availability for the identity; and

associating the stamp with the electronic message when the stamp availability indicates the identity has available stamp resources.

11 . The method of claim 10 wherein receiving an electronic message for transmission includes receiving an electronic mail message sent by the user associated with the identity.

12 . The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the request to associate the stamp with the electronic message includes using a messaging gateway to automatically process mail transmitted by a user and automatically requesting to associate the stamp if the stamp is available.

13 . The method of claim 10 wherein associating the stamp with the electronic message includes enabling the stamp to be processed upon receipt by a sender with a mailing address appearing in the electronic message.

14 . A system configured to process electronic messages using a stamp authority, the method comprising:

a communications interface structured and arranged to receive an electronic message;

an association code segment structured and arranged to identify a stamp associated with the electronic message;

a validation code segment structured and arranged to determine if the stamp is valid; and

if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the electronic message from electronic messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.

15 . The system of claim 14 wherein the validation code segment is structured and arranged to determine if the stamp has been used previously.

16 . The system of claim 14 further comprising an execution code segment structured and arranged to execute a stamp transaction indicating the stamp has been used.