Abstract: This invention describes an audio snippet exchange network that allows people to subscribe to audio snippets that are published by other members on the network. The audio snippets may also have user contributed metadata related to them, such that the recipients can search a library of audio snippets and play back only those that match the search term. Oftentimes people want to take advantage of communication via social networks but are presently engaged in an activity such as driving or watching a live event. This audio snippet exchange network allows the person to have a largely uninterrupted experience while still publishing and consuming audio messages.

Abstract: A method of restricting the distribution of an image attachment to an electronic message via an electronic communications network comprises receiving, via the electronic communications network, the electronic message at a server; removing the image attachment from the electronic message; fragmenting the image into at least two image parts; and creating a set of rendering instructions as to how the at least two the image parts should be reconstituted to represent the original image.

Abstract: This invention describes an audio snippet exchange network that allows people to subscribe to audio snippets that are published by other members on the network. The audio snippets may also have user contributed metadata related to them, such that the recipients can search a library of audio snippets and play back only those that match the search term. Oftentimes people want to take advantage of communication via social networks but are presently engaged in an activity such as driving or watching a live event. This audio snippet exchange network allows the person to have a largely uninterrupted experience while still publishing and consuming audio messages.

Abstract: A method of restricting the distribution of an image attachment to an electronic message via an electronic communications network comprises receiving, via the electronic communications network, the electronic message at a server; removing the image attachment from the electronic message; fragmenting the image into at least two image parts; and creating a set of rendering instructions as to how the at least two the image parts should be reconstituted to represent the original image.

Abstract: A system that can control whether a recipient of an electronic message (e.g., a text message, a multimedia message, an e-mail message, etc.) with a forwarding-restricted attachment is permitted to forward the attachment to third parties can be implemented on the network without specialized hardware or software for the client devices. The sender of a text message may limit the downstream distribution of that text message through text message forwarding by associating a forwarding restriction flag with the message.

Abstract: A system that can control whether a recipient of an electronic message (e.g., a text message, a multimedia message, an e-mail message, etc.) with a forwarding-restricted attachment is permitted to forward the attachment to third parties can be implemented on the network without specialized hardware or software for the client devices. The sender of a text message may limit the downstream distribution of that text message through text message forwarding by associating a forwarding restriction flag with the message.

Abstract: A system can control whether a recipient of an electronic message (e.g., a text message, a multimedia message, an e-mail message, etc.) with a forwarding-restricted attachment is permitted to forward the attachment to third parties can be implemented on the network without specialized hardware or software for the client devices. The sender of a text message may limit the downstream distribution of that text message through text message forwarding by associating a forwarding restriction flag with the message.

Abstract: A system can control whether a recipient of an electronic message (e.g., a text message, a multimedia message, an e-mail message, etc.) with a forwarding-restricted attachment is permitted to forward the attachment to third parties can be implemented on the network without specialized hardware or software for the client devices. The sender of a text message may limit the downstream distribution of that text message through text message forwarding by associating a forwarding restriction flag with the message.