In searching for a GMail 'mark as read' filter action, I noticed that
many users have requested this same functionality.

I could definitely make use of this functionality (e.g. for FreeCycle
mailing lists - I don't want to know every time something is taken,
but I do need to keep the TAKEN emails around in case it is regarding
something I had wanted. Being able to 'mark as read' the TAKEN
messages would be exactly what I'm looking for...)

I got all excited when I realized there were the built-in 'read' and
'unread' labels - I thought that all I would have to do is apply the
label 'read' and I'd be all set. Unfortunately, it seems these
'system' labels are restricted... why is that? Wouldn't it be useful
to open up as many features to users as possible (since these already
exist)?

Is there any other way to 'mark as read' a filtered message? Could
these system labels be unrestricted?

Thanks,
~Aaron