<< . . . dont know about patenting list names . . .. >>

List names are not patentable and not copyrightable.  Patents apply only to
inventions, not names.  And single words or even short phrases are nearly
universally considered non-copyrightable.  List names also don't generally
serve as trademarks.  Trademarks apply to goods.  List names could, I
imagine, be protected in some cases as service marks -- the service being
the provision of an e-mail forum about a particular topic, etc.  A lawyer
who claims to be competent as a trademark lawyer should also know about
service marks.

Michael Trittipo
J.D. cum laude '81 U of Minn.
Not giving legal advice; just helping with terminology
(On this list in preparation for becoming a list maintainer)