Embedding recipient specific comments in electronic messages using encryption

A system for delivering electronic messages to one or more recipients, comprising:

• a plurality of user stations at which a user enters and receives electronic messages, wherein one of said plurality of users creates an electronic message with a common message portion that is to be delivered to recipients at a number of said user stations and also creates a comment to said common message portion of said electronic message, wherein said comment can be reviewed only by selected recipients at a selected subset of said number of said user stations;
• a message processor coupled to the plurality of user stations, the message processor being programmed to:
• encrypt said comment;
• transmit said common message portion without said comment to a list of recipients on a first address list and transmit said common message portion with said encrypted comment to selected recipients on a second address list;
• determine whether a particular recipient is allowed to decode said encrypted comment by:
• transmitting an icon or instruction with said common message portion and said encrypted comment;
• and
• determining if said particular recipient has selected the icon or performed the instruction and if so, determining if said particular recipient is on said second address list of said selected recipients to review said comment.

A system for sending messages in an e-mail messaging system, comprising:

• a plurality of user stations at which a user enters and receives electronic messages, wherein said messages include a common message portion that is to be delivered to recipients at a number of said user stations and a comment that is to be received by a selected subset of recipients;
• a message processor coupled to the plurality of user stations, the message processor being programmed to:
• transmit said common message portion without said comment to said recipients and transmit an encrypted comment along with an icon or instruction to said selected subset of recipients;
• and
• determine whether a particular recipient has selected the icon or performed the instruction and if so to decode the encrypted comment for review by the particular recipient.