<< . . . 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)