I have read a couple of replies to this particular matter already.. and there are a few things that do concern me... Firstly, I believe you should contact the list owner and/or listserv administrator and find out if this was premeditated or just a quite easily made mistake..... I know... I know.... you may have reasons already to feel that it is a definite premediated move, but get it down in writing... or e-mail first.... Secondly, I dont believe that there is currently anyway to ensure that your list name is not used by someone else, and that there is little recourse available to you legally...... morally is another question but that wont stand up in court anyway... Thirdly..... why not join the list, e-mail your concerns to all other subscribers for the list (hope its only semi-moderated).... and see where that gets you... at the same time post a message to any related list you can to clarify which list is which.... including your own list... I dont know about patenting list names.... it sounds like an awful lot of work for the sake of a list name..... and you would find yourself spending more time than most people have available chasing down through the courts anyone who deliberately or accidently used that listname.... Debra Wilson System Administrator NSW Agriculture ******************************************* "Even the Gods themselves can not contend against stupidity." *******************************************