Synchronising contacts

Abstract

A method of synchronizing the contact information of a group of users of a telephony system between the group of users over a communications network is provided. Each user of the group of users has a user terminal connected to the communications network and executes a client, the client comprising a contact information list. A first user belonging to the group of users selects the contact information of other users in the group from the contact information list and chooses to synchronize the contact information. An invitation message is transmitted from the client executed on the user terminal of the first user to the client executed on the user terminal of each of the other users in the group, the invitation message including an invitee list of users belonging to the group. The invitation message is received at the client of each of the other users in the group. At least one of the other users in the group accepts the invitation message, the step of accepting comprising generating an acceptance message, the acceptance message giving authorization to the group of users to contact the at least one other user, broadcasting the acceptance message to the group of users and adding the invitee list to the contact information list of the at least one user.